The Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre team announced on Tuesday that Phil Bickford has been signed by the Yankees on a minor league contract. As per Jon Heyman from the New York Post, Bickford stands to earn $1.1 million should he secure a spot on the 40-man roster.
Last week, the Mets released Bickford, marking the first time the 28-year-old had become a free agent in his career. MLB Trade Rumors reported that in February, Bickford succeeded in his arbitration case against the Mets, securing a $900,000 salary.
However, under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, this amount wasn’t fully guaranteed until Opening Day. Ultimately, the Mets only owed him $217,000, indicating that he could potentially earn a higher income with the Yankees compared to what he would have received had he made the Mets roster.
The pitcher appeared in 25 games for the Mets during the 2023 season, recording a 4.62 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings. Following the Mets’ signing of J.D. Martinez, he was designated for assignment.
Bickford was selected by the Giants in the first round of the 2015 draft and made his debut in the major leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2020.
He was traded from the Dodgers to the Mets during the 2023 deadline along with pitcher Adam Kolarek in exchange for cash considerations.
His most successful season occurred in 2021 with the Dodgers, during which he achieved a 2.50 ERA over 50 1/3 innings with 59 strikeouts.
