NEW YORK -- The Yankees have made their first acquisition of the new year, signing veteran infielder Paul DeJong to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
DeJong, 32, would earn $1 million if he is in the Majors. The Yankees have not officially announced the signing.
It has been a quiet offseason thus far for the Bombers, whose most significant moves have been to retain players from their 2025 roster -- most prominently outfielder Trent Grisham, who accepted a qualifying offer valued at $22.025 million in November.
The Yankees intend to do more, however. They have been vocal about their desire to re-sign infielder/outfielder Cody Bellinger, who is believed to have received a formal offer from the Bombers in late December.
Published reports have connected the Yankees to a more limited free-agent pursuit of infielder Bo Bichette, who is viewed as something of a backup plan in the event Bellinger signs elsewhere.
Cognizant that their rotation will be impacted by injuries to begin the season, the Yankees are also known to be among the teams to express trade interest in Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera and Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta.
With shortstop Anthony Volpe recovering from left shoulder surgery and not expected to play in big league games until May at the earliest, DeJong adds an experienced infield choice.
He saw time at first base, second base, third base and shortstop with the Nationals last season. DeJong batted .228 with a .642 OPS, limited to just 57 games due to a fractured nose he sustained when he was hit by a Mitch Keller fastball in April.
DeJong’s skill set overlaps a bit with infielder/outfielder Amed Rosario, who finalized a one-year deal with the Yankees on Dec. 30. The Yanks’ infield mix also features José Caballero and Oswaldo Cabrera, plus Zack Short, who signed a Minor League contract with the Yankees in December.