In August, the Yankees cut ties with one of their bigger bonus bets, releasing shortstop Alexander Vargas. They gave the Cuban native $2.5 million, the biggest bonus in their 2019 international class. At 23, Vargas started this season at High A and hit just .227 with one homer and a .633 OPS in 42 games at Double A before being released in August. The Cincinnati Reds picked him up, and he posted a .617 OPS in 18 games for them at High A.
Outfielder Brando Mayea ($4.35 million, 2023) spent his third season in rookie ball at age 20 this year. Shortstop Roderick Arias ($4 million, 2022) posted a .640 OPS over 103 games in his first season in Low A at age 20.
_Hans Montero signed as a shortstop for $1.7 million in 2021. Of 89 games the 21-year-old played at Low A this season, 34 were at first base and none were at shortstop. Outfielder Raimfer Salinas ($1.85 million, 2017) played just 65 games at Low A with the organization. _
In 2014, the Yankees gave seven-figure bonuses to seven players.... Only two... reached the majors, playing a combined 107 games.
