NEW YORK — The Yankees had already secured a playoff spot when Amed Rosario reclined at his clubhouse locker late in September, reflecting on a half-season in pinstripes that had exceeded expectations.
Acquired in a Trade Deadline deal from the Nationals, the veteran infielder/outfielder was swinging well against left-handed pitching. His presence was also being felt in the dugout: he and Jasson Domínguez were the loudest voices in the cheering section of “La Esquina Caliente,” or, “The Hot Corner.”
“It’s like we have a podcast,” Rosario told MLB.com then. “We’re talking about everything, about life. We’re paying attention to the game, too. We try to give the best energy we can for our teammates, and we play like the Hot Corner too. I always tell the guys, ‘I know how it feels to play for the other side. When you get a big hit against the Yankees, it’s more important.’”
Rosario officially returned to the Yankees on Tuesday, with the club formally announcing his one-year contract, which was agreed upon back on Dec. 13. Terms of the deal were not released, but a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand that Rosario will earn $2.5 million this coming season.
The 30-year-old batted .303 (10-for-33) with three doubles, one home run and five RBIs in 16 games for New York last year after being acquired from Washington on July 26 in exchange for right-hander Clayton Beeter and outfielder Browm Martinez.
Between Washington and New York, Rosario hit a combined .276/.309/.436 (50-for-181) with six homers and 23 RBIs in 63 games, including a .302 (35-for-116) mark against left-handed pitchers. Defensively, he appeared at third base, second base, right field and shortstop.
As he prepared to leave the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla., earlier this month, Cashman reiterated his desire to seek right-handed balance.
“I definitely want to give Aaron Boone some legitimate choices so he can match up when we’re facing a left-handed starter, because obviously we’re so left-handed that it’s a vulnerability right now,” Cashman said. “There’s not a lot of right-handed bats in the game that are accessible.”
Other than selecting right-hander Cade Winquest from the Cardinals in the Rule 5 Draft, the Yankees’ only Major League additions this offseason have been players who were on their 2025 roster.
Rosario joins left-hander Tim Hill, outfielder Trent Grisham, left-hander Ryan Yarbrough and right-hander Paul Blackburn (per source) in that group. Infielder/outfielder Oswaldo Cabrera and right-hander Clarke Schmidt have also agreed to contracts, avoiding arbitration.
In that September conversation, Rosario said he had enjoyed his brief time in pinstripes. In hindsight, it may have hinted at how eager he’d be to return.
“My teammates, they bring energy every day,” Rosario said. “They’re so positive. They always want to learn, and I’m learning a lot of new things from those guys.”
