The New York Yankees made a signing that has flown under the radar.
On Monday, the Yankees signed 18-year-old outfield prospect Yostin Pena. Although many may not know his name, the move is an intriguing one.
Pena signed for $300,000 with the St. Louis Cardinals this past January in the International Free Agent Signing period out of the Dominican Republic. However, according to RedBird Farmhands on X, the Cardinals and Pena ended up voiding their contract.
“Yostin Pena signs with the Yankees after his Cardinals contract was voided due to age-related concerns,” the account wrote on X.
Although Pena wasn’t one of the top International free agents, he still signed for $300,000, so the Cardinals had to see something in him. But, due to some concerns over his actual age, the deal fell through, and he has now signed a minor-league deal with the Yankees. The terms of the deal weren’t revealed, but he signed after he was suspended following his deal with the Cardinals being canceled.
Pena didn’t play anywhere in 2025, so there is some mystery around him. But it’s a low-risk move for the Yankees. He’s a 6-foot-4 outfielder who bats and throws right.
The 18-year-old should start in the low-level of the Yankees minor leagues, especially after not playing for a year. But, if he hits well, he could be a fast riser up New York’s minor-league system.
Yankees Prospect Pool Near Bottom of MLB
Pena’s signing adds more talent to the Yankees’ prospect pool.
At the mid-season update, MLB Pipeline ranked New York as the 22nd-best prospect pool in all of baseball.
“All four of the Yankees’ Top 100 Prospects have joined the list since the season began,” the article read. “Schlitter, a 2022 seventh-rounder who’s yet another testament to their ability to find and develop arms in later rounds, already is contributing in the Majors.
“The system’s depth took a huge hit, however, when New York traded 15 prospects for reinforcements at the Trade Deadline. Though it did manage to hold onto most of its top talents.”
The Yankees ranked 22nd before the season, and in 2024, New York had the 11th-best prospect rankings, but due to trades, the system has been depleted.
New York GM Believes Team is in a ‘Good Spot’
The Yankees have had a quiet offseason, but general manager Brian Cashman does expect them to be active.
However, entering the offseason, Cashman said the team is in a good spot. And, he believes he already has a competitive team.
“I think we’re in a good spot,” Cashman said. “The job right now is to find out what’s available, and those all have different price points. There could be cheap players that are available that are good, or there could be very expensive players that are available that are good. It’s just cost of acquisition; the cheap ones would be in the trade market, clearly.”
The Yankees lost in the ALDS to the Toronto Blue Jays, and New York is looking to build off that.
Ahead of the season, the Yankees have the second-best odds of winning the World Series at +750.
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