Three new Yankee experiments are already failing

If there’s one thing the New York Yankees truly love, it’s finding a diamond in the rough. 

And though most of those diamonds don’t exactly emerge from the rough, those that have were a real reward. DJ LeMahieu brought the Yankees a true leadoff hitter to bat ahead of Aaron Judge. Jose Caballero was a perfect replacement for an injured Anthony Volpe last season.

Still, that doesn’t distract from the fact that New York has spent considerable time and resources chasing high-upside yet unproven talent. With Judge in his prime, the time to win is now. And after an embarrassing postseason followed by a sleepy offseason, the latest round of Yankee experiments isn’t helping. Let’s check in on some of these new faces in camp.

LHP Ryan Weathers 

No one can deny that Weathers is a talented lefty. His ability to blend a triple-digit fastball with a stunning arsenal of off-speed offerings is truly exciting. And with the annual barrage of injuries weighing on the pitching staff, Weathers’ presence in the rotation is much-welcomed. But while there isn’t a question regarding his talent or why the Yankees traded for him, there is a valid point to be made about whether or not the risk outweighs the reward.

In the past five years, injuries have prevented him from tossing more than 94.2 innings in a single year, that total coming in his debut season. And over those five years, Weathers has compiled an ERA of 4.93 in 281 innings. Given his lack of success and durability, it would seem the Yankees overpaid.

New York sent four prospects, including three of its top 30, to the Miami Marlins for three years of Weathers’ services. In 12.1 innings this spring, Weathers has given up 16 earned runs on 23 hits, two hit batters and three walks. There is still time for Weathers to find his rhythm, but Yankees fans will hope that happens sooner rather than later.

RHP Angel Chivilli 

Like Weathers, Chivilli also boasts considerable talent. However, he hasn’t produced results yet. In 90.1 innings over two years with the Colorado Rockies, the flamethrowing reliever posted an ERA of 6.18. But was this underperformance due to the Coors Field effect? The early results say no.

In Florida this spring, Chivilli gave up 11 runs on 11 hits, a hit batter and two walks in eight innings before being optioned to the minors. This, coupled with his low strikeout rate from last season (15.6 percent), paints a discouraging picture.

The Yankees traded minor league first baseman TJ Rumfield to the Rockies for Chivilli. Rumfield hit .294 and .285 in 2024 and 2025, respectively, while in the Yankees minor league system. Rumfield is 14-for-49 with four home runs and five walks this spring.

OF/1B Nicholas Torres 

The reigning Mexican League MVP, Torres, was an intriguing signing. And he still could be — if the Yankees would let him play. Torres wasn’t initially invited to spring training, but he did eventually see some action. He is currently 1-for-5 this spring.

This isn’t a case of Torres failing the Yankees; it’s more so the Yankees not giving him a chance. By all appearances, Torres was just a bargain bin contingency plan in case Cody Bellinger signed elsewhere. With both first base and the outfield filled, he is now a depth piece lost in a backlog of players.

Torres hit .347/.425/.730 with 27 home runs in 326 at-bats with the Algodoneros de Union Laguna last season. He last saw action in an MLB minor league system in 2018.