The New York Yankees have made notable headlines off the field, not with trades or thrilling wins, but with a move that’s turning heads for its strategic brilliance—and its eyebrow-raising implications. Their treatment of veteran reliever Adam Ottavino has spotlighted a burgeoning trend in Major League Baseball: leveraging roster regulations to maximize flexibility, albeit at the potential expense of player stability.
Ottavino, a seasoned 39-year-old hurler, found himself on a rollercoaster with the Yankees, designated for assignment twice in a mere eight days. Initially signed on April 1, he was shuffled off the roster just three days later, only to be briefly welcomed back before being released again on April 9. This unexpected journey for Ottavino underscores a growing tactic of using roster rule gaps to sustain bullpen flexibility while challenging traditional notions of player consistency and security.
A Rough Ride for Ottavino with the Yankees
During his brief tenure with the Yankees, Ottavino managed to toss 1 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out three and allowing no hits. His four walks, however, raised eyebrows within the organization and, compounded by his workload of two appearances in three days, made him temporarily unavailable—a risk the Yankees weren’t willing to take. So, instead of reserving a roster spot, they opted for his departure.
In a candid conversation with Foul Territory, Ottavino reflected, “Every day in the big leagues is precious... It’s a weird situation, but I think I handled it as good as you can.”
Adam Ottavino, who was just designated for assignment for the second time in five days, opens up about the experience.
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) April 9, 2025
"I knew he [Devin Williams] was coming back, so the clock was ticking." pic.twitter.com/Yc5JxDs3hm
From the beginning, Ottavino’s role was never meant to be long-lasting. His first appearance came when Yankees' closer Devin Williams was on paternity leave. And when the bullpen was in need of a fresh arm, Ottavino briefly returned, only to be part of another exit strategy once Ian Hamilton was ready to return from the injured list.
The Yankees were straightforward about the transient nature of his stint. “I talked to [Aaron Boone] when they DFA’d me and told me to keep going,” Ottavino noted.
“I was kind of on the fence at that moment, but it was great. I knew what it was.”
Innovation or Intelligent Exploitation?
There are no rules bent or broken here—just savvy maneuvering. The latest collective bargaining agreement caps option assignments at five per season per player, preventing the constant shuttle of players between the majors and minors. As a workaround, teams like the Yankees are tapping into veterans like Ottavino—those without minor league options but with enough service time to test free agency—to plug short-term roster gaps.
The Bronx Bombers aren’t the only ones playing this strategic chess game. The Atlanta Braves recently emulated this with Jesse Chavez, signing him, using him for a single game, and then designating him to make room for fresh arms. Players are shuffled in and out, maximizing:
- Roster efficiency: Pitchers ready to play are always on hand.
- Financial agility: Veterans can be signed and released without lasting financial commitments.
This approach, while clever, raises important questions around player treatment. Is sustainability possible? Does it honor the players involved?
The Human Angle of Tactical Moves
Ottavino, now a veteran across six MLB teams and 15 seasons, knows the business side of baseball well. Still, being seen as a cog in a roster machine can take a toll.
“I never saw myself back with pinstripes again, to be honest,” he said, alluding to his emotional connection with the Yankees. “And it felt great.
It was something that was pretty special.”
Veteran pitchers near the twilight of their careers are increasingly seen as temporary but essential—deployed when needed, briefly celebrated, then moved aside when no longer. Ironically, this might open up more job opportunities as teams continually refresh their bullpen rosters. Fringe or aging pitchers get chances to shine, particularly in less taxing scenarios where teams save their top-tier bullpen assets.
Players Association Keeping a Watchful Eye
It’s unclear where the MLB Players Association stands on this unfolding issue. While the rise in short-term roles might benefit veterans who would otherwise be without a team, the frequent use of players as brief gap-fillers poses risks to job security and the integrity of full-time professional roles.
If more teams adopt this Yankee blueprint, it could become a talking point in future collective bargaining discussions, particularly around how this affects service time accrual, arbitration rights, and player mobility.
Ottavino’s Open-Ended Future
As the season rolls on, Ottavino finds himself without a team. Earlier in the offseason, he signed a minor league deal with Boston but stumbled during spring training, posting a 10.80 ERA across five innings. Yet, his short Yankees stint, despite control hiccups, showed he might still have something to offer.
His career stats—boasting a 3.47 ERA and 772 strikeouts across 663.2 innings—paint the picture of a worthy reliever. Last season with the Mets, he contributed 56 innings with a 4.34 ERA. While he might not match the heights of his prior Yankees tenure (1.90 ERA in 2019), Ottavino is far from done.
Broader Implications of the Yankees' Strategy
Amid a season already marked by injuries and roster churn, the Yankees have honed in on a method, contentious but legitimate, to keep their bullpen sharp. Ottavino's brief yet impactful tenure highlights a significant shift in MLB’s roster management.
The future of this tactic—whether adopted league-wide or leading to rule changes—is uncertain. But for now, within established rules, the Yankees' approach is as effective as it is controversial, navigating through a landscape that seems all too flexible.
