New York Yankees Claim Former Top Prospect Off Waivers
There is a new Jeter in the New York Yankees organization.
On Tuesday, the Yankees claimed Jeter Downs off waivers from the Washington Nationals.
Downs, of course, was a former top prospect of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who was one of the main pieces in the Mookie Betts trade in 2020, which saw him go to the Boston Red Sox.
But Downs has yet to live up to expectations at the major league level. The second baseman made his big-league debut in 2022, and has hit .182 with a .533 OPS in 20 career games in the majors.
However, Downs is still just 25-years-old, so there's potential there. He has played for the Red Sox and Nationals across the past two seasons.
The Yankees' infield is pretty crowded, so Downs was likely acquired to serve as depth in the upper levels of the minor leagues.
Downs is the second former Red Sox player the Yankees have acquired this offseason, as they landed outfielder Alex Verdugo during the Winter Meetings earlier in the month. Verdugo, along with Downs, was also included in the Betts trade.
It will be interesting to see if the Yankees' player development group can unlock Downs' potential while he is with the organization.
