Yankees DFA Yanquiel Fernandez: What It Means For Roster

The Yankees designated 23-year-old outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez for assignment just five days after claiming him off waivers from the Rockies. This move looks like a way to clear a roster spot before the apparently imminent Paul Goldschmidt re-signing.

This post digs into what happened, why it matters for New York’s depth chart, and what the waiver landscape might mean for Fernandez and the club over the next few weeks.

What happened: Yanquiel Fernandez designated for assignment

New York put Fernandez on the 40-man roster to claim him from Colorado. Almost immediately, they shifted him to the DFA pile.

The timing stands out, coming right after reports that the Yankees plan to finalize Goldschmidt’s return—a move that needs a spot on both the 40-man and 26-man rosters. Fernandez, who just turned 23 on New Year’s Day, has already used up two of his three minor-league option years.

In his MLB debut season with the Rockies, the right-handed outfielder hit .225/.265/.348 in 147 plate appearances. He struck out 30% of the time.

His Triple-A numbers have bounced around but occasionally caught attention, with a .259/.320/.437 line across 409 plate appearances in hitter-friendly parks. Around 2023–24, Fernandez was seen as a back-end top-100 prospect, showing off power and a strong arm that had people thinking he might become an everyday right fielder.

Details and implications

Scouts liked his raw power and his plus arm. Still, they worried about his aggressive approach and shaky plate discipline, which slowed down his development.

The Yankees probably hope to sneak him through waivers and keep him around as organizational depth. It’s a sensible move, especially with so many spring roster changes happening.

With New York sitting at 27th in the current waiver priority, there’s a good chance other teams won’t rush to claim him. That said, a few clubs might see him as a cheap spring option if they have open spots.

Why this move aligns with the Yankees’ roster strategy

The DFA lines up with a bigger roster plan: making space ahead of an expected Goldschmidt re-signing and still figuring out the outfield mix. The Yankees could be weighing the certainty of a veteran with the long-term upside of a young, athletic corner outfielder who’s still got some potential—if he can improve his plate discipline.

Clearing Fernandez helps the Yankees handle payroll flexibility and 40-man roster math. The club’s apparent plan to keep the 23-year-old as depth shows they still value players who can help out in the minors or be moved if something unexpected comes up.

What to watch in the waiver period

• Some teams might claim him as a cheap spring option, especially if they have 60-day IL openings.
• If Fernandez clears waivers, the Yankees can keep him and keep tabs on his development.
• There’s always a chance someone tries to trade for him if they like his upside and want a low-cost flyer.

Fernandez’s prospect profile and what went wrong (and right)

Fernandez’s path from well-regarded prospect to DFA candidate shows just how tricky it is to turn tools into big-league results. Early on, he flashed power—posting a .265/.313/.486 line with 25 homers in 521 plate appearances across three levels—and a strong throwing arm that scouts really liked.

But his aggressive approach and inconsistent plate discipline kept him from turning that power into steady on-base numbers. That’s made it tough for him to stick in the majors or carve out a clear everyday role so far.

Implications for spring training and organizational depth

As the Yankees head into spring training and keep tinkering with the roster, Fernandez’s designation highlights how thin the line can be between having depth and giving players real opportunities. The team will watch the waiver process closely, knowing a claim could flip their plans in a hurry.

They’re also bracing for the usual shuffling that comes with a long season. Honestly, this move just shows New York’s willingness to shuffle the deck and protect future upside, even if it means letting go—at least for now—of a young, intriguing talent.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Yankees To Designate Yanquiel Fernandez For Assignment