Yankees sign another former NY Mets player less than 24 hours after Paul Blackburn

They can’t help themselves. Less than 24 hours after re-signing Paul Blackburn, when the belly laughs of New York Mets fans have yet to subside, the New York Yankees go out and add another one of the weaker David Stearns roster additions.

Zack Short, who made the 2024 Mets Opening Day roster, has been signed to a minor league deal. We’re not laughing hardily because it is a minor league contract. The reason behind it is more in line with why we think it’s so funny.

Uncertainty with Anthony Volpe at shortstop, Short is a presumed depth addition to the Yankees roster. Volpe battled through injury last year and if he’s not ready or lands on the IL, Short is one of the first in line who’ll get MLB playing time.

While the Mets steal good MLB players from the Bronx, the Yankees are picking up scraps from Queens

Forget what Short did in his brief time with the Mets in 2024. He’s a .172 hitter in 594 plate appearances. You can’t tell me that’s the best the Mets can do as such an immediate replacement at shortstop. Perhaps it’s a little biased based on how well-equipped the Mets are at the position. On the 40-man roster alone, we could see Luisangel Acuna and Ronny Mauricio take on the job. Despite being more green than Short, how could you not be more comfortable than either of those choices?

Short is apparently defensively-gifted (the numbers say otherwise) and exactly the type of player we’ve become accustomed to seeing Stearns add to the Mets’ depth chart. It was far more egregious what he did prior to 2024, carrying Short on a roster alongside Joey Wendle who was the veteran equivalent. Neither made it through May on the roster.

To his credit, Short hit .220 with the Houston Astros last year. He played only shortstop and while the Yankees may value him defensively, it might be more for versatility than performance. He was worth -2 OAA last year at shortstop and is at -13 for his career at all positions combined. By multiple measures, he isn’t a very good defender.

The Yankees can try to explain this one a million ways. As follow-up moves to seeing Luke Weaver change boroughs, they come up…wait for it…short.