Breaking MLB News: Yankees Sign Former All-Star Infielder

This might not be the signing New York Yankees fans have been waiting for, but while they all wait and wonder what's happening with Cody Bellinger, the team has gone out and signed former All-Star, and noted Yankees-hater, Paul DeJong.

The Yankees are signing Paul DeJong to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training, per @JonHeyman

DeJong played in 57 games with the Nationals last year, playing multiple infield positions and logging a .642 OPS pic.twitter.com/FSDzvhxbkc
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) January 4, 2026

It's a minor league deal with an invite to spring training and will be worth $1 million if he makes the team.

Yes, this is the same Paul DeJong who once tweeted about his lifelong hatred of the Yankees. He was an 18-year-old kid at the time, three years before he was even drafted, but it was simple and to the point: "I hate the Yankees." Of course, DeJong, now 32, has since deleted the tweet.

DeJong had a bit of a resurgent season in 2024, blasting 24 homers for the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals, though it came with a .227 average and .703 OPS. With the Washington Nationals in 2025, he managed just six homers in 57 games and posted a .642 OPS. He missed a ton of time due to a fractured nose after he was hit by a Mitch Keller fastball in April. When he did play, he appeared at least once at every position around the infield.

He'll offer the Yankees some depth at shortstop, second and third. He is known more for his glove than his bat, though he has had the occasional flare-up at the plate.

DeJong's breakthrough season was in 2019, when he launched 30 homers with the St. Louis Cardinals and was named an All-Star. His performance at Yankee Stadium over the years has left a bit to be desired, however. In 21 at-bats there, he has just two hits for a .105 average and a .296 OPS.

Yankees fans, of course, weren't taking to this move too kindly, while they wait for the team to make a big splash in free agency for either Cody Bellinger, Kyle Tucker or Bo Bichette.