Yankees decline Lou Trivino’s option, make a few 40-man roster moves
NEW YORK — In an unsurprising move, the Yankees declined their $5 million, 2025 club option on Lou Trivino on Sunday.
The decision, which was not attached to a buyout, sends the reliever to the open market.
Trivino, 33, has not pitched in a major league game since the 2022 ALCS thanks to Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in May of 2023. The righty pitched in 11 minor league games in 2024, but he dealt with elbow and shoulder issues. The latter ended his season in September.
The Yankees non-tendered Trivino last offseason and then re-signed the righty to a $1.5 million guaranteed contract with the option for 2025. They initially acquired him from the Athletics in the 2022 trade that also brought Frankie Montas to the Bronx.
Trivino shined after that trade, recording a 1.66 ERA over 21 2/3 innings in 2022. He has a 3.86 ERA and 37 saves over 284 2/3 career innings.
Trivino is not the Yankees’ only in-house free agent reliever. He joins Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, Tim Hill and Jonathan Loáisiga.
40-Man Roster Moves
The Yankees made a few additions to their 40-man roster on Sunday night, as reliever Yerry de los Santos, catcher J.C. Escarra and outfielder Taylor Trammell joined the group.
All three players were set to become minor league free agents and finished the season at Triple-A. Each could also easily be deemed expendable if the Yankees need to clear some roster space.
Trammell just won a ring thanks to the Dodgers’ World Series victory over the Yankees, as he played in five major league games for both teams in 2024.
Durbin Running Again
Yankees prospect Caleb Durbin is on pace to break the Arizona Fall League’s single-season stolen base record. As of Monday morning, the infielder had 22. The record is 24.
Durbin already surpassed himself for second place, as he swiped 21 bases last fall.
Acquired from the Braves for Lucas Luetge in December 2022, Durbin has impressed as a speedy, versatile contact hitter who doesn’t strike out much since joining the organization. With the ability to play second and third base, he could potentially factor into the Yankees’ 2025 plans with Gleyber Torres as a free agent.
“He has the ability to move around a little bit, which I think makes him a little more appealing to our staff here,” Yankees vice president of player development Kevin Reese said in July. “But he has the potential to be an everyday player at second base in the big leagues when the time comes.”
Durbin, not on the 40-man roster yet, suffered a wrist fracture last season. He was hitting .265/.393/.456 with three homers and 13 RBI over 18 AFL games.
No Gold Glove Love
The Yankees had three Gold Glove finalists: shortstop Anthony Volpe, left fielder Alex Verdugo and, surprisingly, right fielder Juan Soto.
None of them won their position’s award.
Instead, Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. won at shortstop, while Cleveland’s Steven Kwan won in left. Boston’s Wilyer Abreu won in right.
On Monday, four Yankees were named finalists for the Silver Slugger award: Torres, Soto, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
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