BULLPEN SWEEP: Yankees Non-Tender Five Pitchers, Including Effross and Hamilton, in Roster Reset.vc
(THE BRONX) — The New York Yankees have aggressively cleared clutter from their 40-man roster, choosing not to offer contracts to five right-handed pitchers ahead of the non-tender deadline.2 The decision immediately grants free agency to a mix of injured projects and inconsistent performers, most notably right-handed relievers Scott Effross and Ian Hamilton.3
This move provides General Manager Brian Cashman with crucial roster spots and financial flexibility as the Yankees pivot toward high-leverage bullpen acquisitions this winter.
The Non-Tendered Five
The decision to non-tender these players was rooted in a theme of unreliability, whether due to injuries or inconsistent performance:
| Player | Status / Reason for Non-Tender | 2026 Projected Salary Saved |
| Mark Leiter Jr. | Inconsistent performance (4.89 ERA in 2025); largest salary projection. | 3.0$ Million |
| Ian Hamilton | Inconsistent 2025 season (4.28 ERA); out of minor league options. | 1.0$ Million |
| Scott Effross | Repeated injury setbacks (Tommy John and back issues); minimal 2025 innings. | 0.8$ Million |
| Jake Cousins | Undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2025; likely to miss all of 2026. | 0.8$ Million |
| Michael Arias | Pre-arbitration minor leaguer; clears a 40-man roster spot. | League Minimum |
Admitting Defeat on Trade Acquisitions
The biggest shock and disappointment for the organization comes from Scott Effross and Mark Leiter Jr. Both were acquired at separate trade deadlines to fortify the bullpen but failed to live up to expectations due to injury (Effross) and inconsistency (Leiter Jr.).4
- Effross was a highly touted acquisition in 2022 but spent the majority of his Yankees tenure rehabbing from elbow and back surgeries, accumulating only a handful of innings for the club.5
- Hamilton had a strong 2023 but struggled to find his form consistently in 2025.6
By non-tendering both high-upside projects (Effross, Cousins) and frustrating performers (Leiter Jr., Hamilton), the Yankees are clearly signaling that they are done with “maybes” in the bullpen.
The Strategy: Clarity for the Winter
The five non-tenders, combined with re-signing Clarke Schmidt and Oswaldo Cabrera to avoid arbitration, give Cashman clarity on his remaining payroll and the 40-man roster. This move frees up resources that will now be channeled into targeting proven, reliable relief pitchers in free agency to pair with David Bednar and the returning bullpen core.
The Yankees have officially cut ties with the past season’s inconsistencies and are aggressively moving forward with their plan for a “chaotic, aggressive, and wild” winter.
