Mariners Sign Former Yankees and White Sox Pitcher Manny Banuelos
By Michael Luciano
Former New York Yankees top prospect Manny Banuelos is running out of avenues to stay on the MLB's radar given his poor performance last season.
Luckily for him, Seattle Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto, always looking to tinker with that roster, gave Banuelos a lifeline and signed the Mexican lefty to a minor-league deal.
Mariners Sign Manny Banuelos To Minor League Deal https://t.co/Qpd3J9NLrW pic.twitter.com/XNDFk4iw5b
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) February 11, 2020
Banuelos was once a top prospect with the Yankees, but the team gave up on the lefty after Tommy John hampered his effectiveness. He was then traded to the Atlanta Braves in a deal that netted them Chasen Shreve, who in turn landed them Luke Voit. Banuelos managed just a 5.13 ERA in seven games and didn't see the major leagues again until 2019.
Banuelos pitched to a 6.93 ERA in 16 games with the Chicago White Sox last season.
In addition to Banuelos, infielder Alen Hanson and former Miami Marlins lefty Wei-Yin Chen will join Seattle on minor league deals.
Mariners make three more Minor League signings official, all with invites to big-league camp:
— Greg Johns (@GregJohnsMLB) February 11, 2020
Inf. Alen Hanson
LHP Manny Banuelos
LHP Wei-Yin Chen
Team also confirms that OF Eric Filia has received an invite to camp, which now is at 66 players.
Banuelos hasn't been what many thought he would when he was a teenager, but it's possible he could he used in some capacity with the M's if he impresses in camp.
Maybe this move will finally help Banuelos unlock all his potential.