{"id":364320,"date":"2026-10-04T19:54:32","date_gmt":"2026-10-04T19:54:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/364320\/"},"modified":"2026-10-04T19:54:32","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T19:54:32","slug":"2-year-yankees-player-still-a-free-agent-332-days-after-release","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/364320\/","title":{"rendered":"2-Year Yankees Player Still A Free Agent 332 Days After Release"},"content":{"rendered":"

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 25: Billy McKinney #57 of the New York Yankees singles during the second inning against the New York Mets at Yankee Stadium on July 25, 2023 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

On Saturday night, the New York Yankees<\/a> played Game 1 of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays<\/a> in Florida.<\/p>\n

The Yankees lost by a score of 1-0.<\/p>\n

They will look to bounce back on Monday night (also in Tampa Bay).<\/p>\n

Chris Kirschner of The Athletic wrote:<\/a> \u201cThe Yankees lose Game 1 of the ALDS, 1-0. They had just one hit today, which Austin Wells<\/a> quickly erased with a bad baserunning blunder. Cam Schlittler on the mound for Game 2.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Yankees lose Game 1 of the ALDS, 1-0. <\/p>\n

They had just one hit today, which Austin Wells quickly erased with a bad baserunning blunder. <\/p>\n

Cam Schlittler on the mound for Game 2.<\/p>\n

2-Year Yankee Player Still A Free Agent<\/p>\n

\n\"\"<\/a>GettyBilly McKinney #57 of the New York Yankees celebrates his fourth inning home run against the Texas Rangers<\/a> with manager Aaron Boone #17 at Yankee Stadium on June 24, 2023 in the Bronx borough of New York City.\n<\/p>\n

With the Yankees in the middle of the playoffs, it\u2019s worth noting that one of their recent players is still a free agent.<\/p>\n

As of October 4, Billy McKinney<\/a> is available to sign with any team in the MLB<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He had elected free agency from the Texas Rangers on November 6 (332 days ago).<\/p>\n

MLB.com wrote<\/a> (on November 6): \u201cLF Billy McKinney elected free agency.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking At McKinney\u2019s Time In New York<\/p>\n

\n\"\"<\/a>GettyBilly McKinney #57 of the New York Yankees reacts while running to first during the ninth inning against the Houston Astros<\/a> at Yankee Stadium on August 06, 2023 in the Bronx borough of New York City.\n<\/p>\n

McKinney was picked in the 1st round of the 2013 MLB Draft.<\/p>\n

He had spent part of his rookie season (two games) with the Yankees.<\/p>\n

They then traded him to the Toronto Blue Jays<\/a>.<\/p>\n

MLB.com wrote<\/a> (on July 26, 2018): \u201cToronto Blue Jays traded J.A. Happ to New York Yankees for LF Billy McKinney and 3B Brandon Drury.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\"\"<\/a>GettyBilly McKinney #57 of the New York Yankees sits in the dugout before the game against the Boston Red Sox<\/a> at Yankee Stadium on June 9, 2023 in Bronx borough of New York City.\n<\/p>\n

McKinney later returned to the Yankees in 2023.<\/p>\n

He finished that year batting .227 with six home runs and 14 RBIs in 48 games.<\/p>\n

Looking At McKinney\u2019s Other Stops<\/p>\n

\n\"\"<\/a>GettyBilly McKinney #33 of the Texas Rangers scores on a sacrifice bunt by Michael Helman<\/a> during the sixth inning against the Cleveland Guardians<\/a> at Progressive Field on September 28, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.\n<\/p>\n

In addition to the Rangers, Yankees and Blue Jays, McKinney has also had stops with the Milwaukee Brewers<\/a>, New York Mets<\/a>, Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a>, Oakland Athletics and Pittsburgh Pirates<\/a>.<\/p>\n

McKinney (who is 32) is batting .209 with 180 hits, 34 home runs, 89 RBIs and 114 runs in 327 career games.<\/p>\n

It will be interesting to see if he gets picked up before the 2027 season.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBen Stinar<\/a> Ben Stinar has been covering the NBA for over seven years.\u00a0
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\nHe has written for OnSI, Forbes, Amico Hoops, The Big Lead and had a podcast with former All-Star Jameer Nelson. More about Ben Stinar<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

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