The Yankees have 11 minor league players heading for free agency, and a couple of those names are worth watching closely if New York wants to keep some useful depth in the system.
Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reported the group, which includes pitcher Justin Topa and outfielder Jarred Kelenic among the more recognizable names. Kelenic’s stint in the organization was brief and strange enough to make you do a double-take: he signed with the Yankees in August, then played just 19 games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before moving on again after what was described as uninspired ball for the RailRiders.
But the two players who stand out most for a possible return are pitcher Alexander Cornielle and outfielder Luis Durango. They’re both free agents now, though the Yankees could still bring them back for the 2027 season, and there’s a case to be made that each has more to offer.
Cornielle got his first taste of the majors on Sept. 25, and it came in a rough spot. Aaron Boone handed him the ball with the Yankees leading the Baltimore Orioles 6-1 in the ninth, and while Cornielle finished the game, he gave up two runs on three hits in a shaky inning. Not exactly the debut he probably pictured.
Still, the season wasn’t a lost one. Cornielle didn’t exactly overpower hitters, but he made real progress as the year went on.
His best stretch came in August, when he was named International League Pitcher of the Month. Over five starts, he posted a 1.50 ERA and struck out 25 batters in 24 innings.
That kind of growth matters, especially for a pitcher who could fill multiple roles. The Yankees can always use more arms, and Cornielle looks like the sort of depth piece that can help either as an emergency starter or as a middle-relief option.
Durango brings a different kind of value. He doesn’t have the kind of bat that turns every trip to the plate into a threat for extra bases, but he can create problems with his speed and contact ability. He’s drawn comparisons to Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson because of that profile, and the numbers back up the appeal.
Across three minor league levels, Durango hit .320/.377/.386 in 259 at-bats and struck out only 35 times. He’s 23, which means there’s still room for him to keep climbing.
The Yankees are going to make bigger free-agent headlines this offseason, especially with the moves they’re expected to chase at the top of the market. But the quieter decisions can matter just as much. Cornielle and Durango are still lottery tickets, but they’re the kind of tickets that could pay off if New York brings them back.
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