You can call it shrewd, you can call it calculated, or you can even call it desperate, but the Yankees’ decision to claim Roansy Contreras and Allan Winans off waivers this week isn’t your typical roster-tinkering.
On the surface, it’s two waiver claims.
Depth moves.
Shrug-worthy transactions, even.
But dig deeper, and you start to see it’s a move that screams, “We’re not leaving any stone unturned in 2025.”
Let’s start with Contreras.
Here’s a guy who’s been on what can only be described as a whirlwind tour of MLB organizations this offseason.
Pirates, Angels, Rangers, Reds, Orioles, and finally—the Yankees.
You’d think a guy with a 4.35 ERA over 68.1 innings last year wouldn’t be hopping around the league like a baseball vagabond, but here we are.
- The Yankees claimed Roansy Contreras and Allan Winans to add depth and versatility to their pitching staff for the 2025 season.
- Contreras, 25, brings experience as a starter and reliever despite control issues and a chaotic offseason bouncing between multiple teams.
- Winans, 29, has shined in Triple-A with a strong track record but has struggled to find success at the Major League level.
Roansy Contreras: A Return to Familiar Soil
Once upon a time, Contreras was part of the Yankees’ system.
The Dominican-born righty was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2016 and steadily climbed the ranks until January 2021, when he became part of the Jameson Taillon trade package.
At that point, he was shipped to the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he bounced between roles.
Starter.
Reliever.
Spot starter.
Closer.
And last season, Contreras split time between Pittsburgh and Los Angeles.
His numbers were serviceable but not eye-popping: 2-4 with two saves, a 4.35 ERA, and a WHIP of 1.38.
He struck out 63 batters in 68.1 innings, which is respectable, but walked 27—again, that control issue that seems to follow him wherever he goes.
And then, there’s the endless waiver wire carousel.
After his stint with the Angels, Contreras was claimed by the Rangers in October.
Then the Reds in December.
Then the Orioles in January.
And now, the Yankees.
But here’s the thing: the Yankees saw something in him once.
Maybe they see it again.
Maybe they’re betting that coming back to familiar surroundings will bring out the best in him.
Or maybe they just needed a guy who could plug multiple holes in a long 162-game season.
Allan Winans: A Mystery Wrapped in Minor League Stardom
And then there’s Allan Winans, the 29-year-old “Triple-A ace” who has struggled to make a dent at the Major League level.
Winans was drafted by the Mets in 2018—a 17th-round pick, mind you, which isn’t exactly where you find franchise-altering players—and then languished in the minors for years before finally breaking through with the Braves in 2023.
Winans’ MLB career to date is, frankly, underwhelming.
Over eight starts, he’s 1-4 with a 7.20 ERA.
His 2024 numbers are downright ugly: two starts, 5.2 innings, 15.26 ERA.
Yes, you read that right—15.26.
If you’re a Yankees fan, you’re probably wondering why they even bothered.
But here’s where it gets interesting.
In Triple-A, Winans is an entirely different pitcher.
Over three seasons with the Braves’ Triple-A affiliate, the Gwinnett Stripers, he’s posted a 16-10 record and a 3.23 ERA in 51 appearances (36 starts).
Last June, he was named the International League’s Pitcher of the Month after putting up a microscopic 1.16 ERA over five starts.
So, which version of Winans are the Yankees getting?
The minor league star who dominated Triple-A hitters?
Or the big-league struggler who couldn’t get through five innings without giving up a crooked number?
Depth or Desperation?
The Yankees’ rotation is already stacked.
Gerrit Cole is the ace.
Max Fried and Carlos Rodón are as good at 2-3 punch as you’ll find in baseball.
Luis Gil is the wild card with an upside.
Clarke Schmidt is in the mix, and Marcus Stroman is still around—though let’s not ignore the trade rumors swirling around him.
On paper, the Yankees don’t need Contreras or Winans.
But depth isn’t a luxury in today’s MLB—it’s a necessity.
Injuries happen.
Slumps happen.
And when they do, guys like Contreras and Winans can make or break a season.
Still, these moves feel… unconventional.
Contreras, with his wandering career and control issues, is a gamble.
Winans, with his Triple-A dominance and MLB struggles, is a question mark.
Together, they represent the kind of low-risk, high-reward moves that could either pay off in a big way or fade into the background of a forgettable season.
Are We Overthinking This?
Maybe.
Maybe the Yankees needed extra arms and decided these two were the best available.
Maybe this is all about filling out the back end of the roster and keeping options open for later in the year.
But there’s something about these moves that feels intentional, even bold.
If the Yankees can tap into their potential, they might end up being far more than just waiver-wire pickups.
Or not.
This all could be smoke and mirrors, and we’ll be looking back in August wondering why the Yankees bothered.
