While the Marlins were busy designating Wei-Yin Chen for assignment to make way for top prospects on the 40-man roster, the Yankees were doing the same thing. In order to add seven minor leaguers to their 40-man, New York released outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury and DFA'd first baseman Greg Bird. Whereas Chen and Ellsbury are certain to be released, there may be more competition to claim Bird, formerly a top prospect who’s still on the right side of 30.
Interestingly, the lefty-swinging slugger has a couple key allies with the Marlins: Gary Denbo and James Rowson.