David Aardsma Clears Waivers

Last Thursday, the Yankees released RHP, David Aardsma. He has cleared waivers and will now become an unrestricted free agent, free to sign wherever he chooses. The 31 year old veteran has received interest from almost a dozen teams and figures to sign relatively quickly. Due only 500k this year, it’s a little surprising that given the amount of interest he has supposedly garnered, that no team claimed him.

Aardsma was drafted in the first round of the 2003 by the San Francisco Giants. He made his major league debut in 20o4 after skipping Double A and Triple A, however, his first major league stint was brief and was optioned to AAA Fresno. He would be called up six more times throughout the year, but was shaky at best during his rookie year. The following year, he was traded along with SP, Jerome Williams to the Cubs for veteran RP, LaTroy Hawkins.

The following few years, Aardsma would go on to pitch for the White Sox and Red Sox before discovering his niche as a setup man and closer for the Mariners. Having pitched excellently in 2009 and 2010, he suffered a devastating injury which required Tommy John surgery and forced him to miss the entire 2011 season. After the 2011 season, the Mariners non tendered him, making him a free agent. He would sign a one year deal worth 500k with the Yankees that included a club option for 2013, which was also worth 500k. Due to his Tommy John surgery having taken place in July 2011 and the subsequent recovery time, Aardsma was not activated by the Yankees until September 2012 and only appeared in one game for the Bronx Bombers.

Whoever signs Aardsma will definitely be hoping that he can regain the magic he found in 2009 and 2010 as a bullpen arm for the Mariners. He’ll likely have to settle for a minor league deal.