It was not long ago that Yankees outfielder Marco Luciano appeared to have a very bright future. Heading into the 2022 season, in fact, Luciano was the No. 1 prospect in the San Francisco Giants‘ pipeline, and No. 13 overall in MLB. He had signed for a hefty $2.6 million as a teenager in the Dominican Republic. He struggled as he moved up in the minors, knocking 23 homers last year in Triple-A Sacramento, but hit just .214 with a whopping 170 strikeouts in 462 at-bats.
The Giants finally gave up on him in December, putting him on waivers, where he was first claimed by the Pirates, and then the Orioles after the let him go. Finally, he landed with the Yankees and cleared waivers altogether, allowing the Yankees to keep him around but drop him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
The Yankees announced the move as they replaced Luciano on the roster for former Dodgers outfielder Mike Siani.
The team wrote on Twitter/X: “Earlier today, OF Michael Siani was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Additionally, the Yankees outrighted INF/OF Marco Luciano off the Major League roster and onto the roster of Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.”
Yankees Add Michael Siani to Roster
Siani is a speedy 26-year-old lefty veteran who could make some sense as a depth piece for the Yankees, but with the team lacking in right-handed hitters, it is hard to see how he could carve out a role in the Bronx. He had his best season with the Cardinals in 2024, when he stole 20 bases and was caught three times, but batted only .228 with 92 strikeouts in 298 at-bats.
Though he will not be on the big-league roster, Luciano is the more intriguing, higher-upside player for the Yankees. He does bat right-handed, and though it is a small sample size–just 35 at-bats–he has hit .333 with an .887 OPS and a much lower strikeout rate (10) as a big-leaguer when facing lefties.
Against righties, in 79 at-bats, he has hit .165 with a .451 OPS and 35 strikeouts. Again, very small sample size but it’s possible the Yankees see Luciano as a low-risk, high-upside gamble as a platoon option in the outfield, if they can work with him on cutting back on his strikeouts.
Hunt for Outfielder Continues in Bronx
Still, the Yankees are looking for more ready-made options from the right-hand side, and there is skepticism on how much of a contribution some of the players mentioned–old friends first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and outfielder Austin Slater, plus the likes of Ty France and Randal Grichuk–could actually bring.
The New York Post’s Joel Sherman offered a list of potential bats the Yankees could push to add, like Edmundo Sosa of the Phillies (a longshot), versatile outfielder Austin Martin of the Twins and outfielder Ramon Laureano of the Padres.
The Yankees are dealing with CBT concerns, with a payroll that is already at $336 million with the tax, according to Spotrac, so they’re trying to add a bat on the cheap. Easier said than done. a low-risk gamble like Luciano is not likely to pay off, but could wind up being important.
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