The New York Yankees are trying to get going this MLB offseason. They just signed Cody Bellinger to a five-year contract, and on Thursday, claimed a former top prospect off waivers. According to MLB.com and several other reports, the Yankees claimed infielder/outfielder Marco Luciano off waivers from the Orioles.
Marco Luciano is most known as a former San Francisco Giants top prospect from 2020 to 2024. The Yankees are taking a flyer on Luciano, but he provides youth and some upside potential. He hasn’t been great at the big league level, but New York has enough room on its 40-man roster, and Luciano will likely get a chance to see some at-bats during Spring Training.
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Yankees Claim Marco Luciano
His prospect qualities were strong at one point, but Luciano has had trouble finding his footing in MLB. Over 2023-2024, Luciano hit .217 in 115 at-bats, and then struggled in 2025 in Triple-A.
While the Yankees haven’t made many moves for bats this offseason aside from Bellinger, it will be interesting to see what sort of role Marco Luciano has within the organization throughout the season. The Baltimore Orioles picked him up earlier this offseason, but then designated him for assignment shortly after.
GettyMarco Luciano scores on a home run hit by Tyler Fitzgerald against the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 22, 2023.
However, his 23 home runs in AAA during 2025 keep his minor league career alive for now. Will he have a real role with the Yankees? It’s unlikely, even if New York makes no further moves.
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Spring Training Begins in February
The MLB offseason is quickly coming to an end, so it will soon be time to further assess the moves that have been made by the Yankees this winter. For the most part, it’s been re-signings, but New York has been able to retain players like Amen Rosario, Paul Blackburn, Trent Grisham, and Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Some key departures include Luke Weaver, Devin Williams, and New York is still awaiting Paul Goldschmidt’s free agency decision.
Spring Training begins in February, and it will be interesting to see if New York tries to acquire either a big bat or a strong pitcher to add going into the new season.
For the most part, this winter, it has felt like the Yankees are rumored to land every top free agent, so the next month or so might be an opportunity for New York to turn the tide and try to match what other AL East teams like the Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Orioles have done.
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