With MLB Spring Training set to start next week, it will be interesting to see what new faces the New York Yankees invite to camp on minor league deals. In this final week before spring camp, teams across Major League Baseball are doing a lot of shifting in terms of player transactions.
On Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers designated Anthony Banda for assignment, and the Dodgers’ World Series champion southpaw now hops on the DFA limbo in MLB. Any team will be able to claim Banda off waivers, and he might be a good target for the Yankees to target.
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Yankees Urged to Sign Anthony Banda
Anthony Banda had a brief stint with the New York Yankees in 2022. He pitched just 0.2 innings with the club and gave up a few runs.
Max Mannis, who covers the Yankees and works with Jomboy Media, recently suggested that New York should bring Anthony Banda back in a X post:
“Would love for the Yankees to bring Banda back. Cheap 32 year old high upside lefty in a bullpen that BADLY needs one.”
Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesAnthony Banda opened Monday’s game for the Dodgers but could not retire lefty slugger Kyle Schwarber in the first inning.
“Slider/sinker guy fits their repertoire. Lotta walks, but the Yanks have fixed that in relievers before. Only so many quality lefty pen options out there…”
Banda put together two quality seasons with the Dodgers, both of which resulted in a ring. In 2024, Banda posted a 3.08 ERA over 49.2 innings and 50 strikeouts.
In 2025, it was another quality campaign for the journeyman reliever, as Banda boasted a 3.18 ERA over 65 innings.
However, a couple of rough performances in the playoffs this past season were enough for Los Angeles to designate him.
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Should the Yankees Sign Anthony Banda?
Anthony Banda would be a nice option for the Yankees to try and take a flyer on, as Mannis mentions.
He’s pitched with eight different MLB organizations, but his ability find success past his age-30 season is a good enough sign to bring Banda into spring camp.
The Yankees currently have just two lefty relievers listed on the depth chart (Tim Hill, Ryan Yarborough, Brent Headrick).
Headrick is the lefty New York likely feels most confident about, but Tim Hill and Yarborough are soft options, and Banda does at least have a velocity advantage over them.
Expect several roster moves to be announced by the Yankees in the coming days and into next week as the team prepares for spring training.
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