Yankees deal for Zach Britton

While it may have seemed like Brian Cashman would have done anything in his power to add Manny Machado onto his team, his focus before the deadline remained clear: add pitching. Yesterday, the New York Yankees traded for Baltimore Orioles reliever Zach Britton in a deal that sent pitching prospects Dillon Tate, Cody Carroll and Josh Roger to Baltimore. Yankee fans, including myself would have rather seen Cashman trade for a starter, but the addition of Zach Britton is a step in the right direction for a few reasons.

The Yankees now have one of the most talented bullpens in the American League. The three headed monster of Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances and David Robertson has been pitching well, especially Chapman who is currently top 3 in American League saves. Chasen Shreve has recovered from his abysmal start to the season, and the rest of the bullpen has rounded out to form. Adam Warren, A.J. Cole and Chad Green have been pitched well, and Jonathan Holder has been stellar this year, posting a 1.76 ERA over 41 innings, with 36 strikeouts. This team is in a position where they feel confident their bullpen can hold a lead for Chapman or another big name at the end of the bullpen. 

Zach Britton adds another dimension to this cast of pitchers. After battling injuries for the past two years, the 30 year old left hander found himself in a closing role in Baltimore, beginning his season in June. While his ERA is 3.45, Britton has only given up 6 earned runs, putting up 0's in the run column in his last seven appearances, and posting 13 strikeouts in 15.2 innings. He had two bad appearances in June, but has since proved himself as one of the better relievers in the league so far.

I am a big fan of this trade, because it adds a fear factor to the bullpen. Now the Yankees, realistically only need their starter to get to the 6th inning. If in a close game they can have a lead in the 6th, manager Aaron Boone could choose to overkill the opponent with Robertson in the 6th, Britton in the 7th, Betances in the 8th and Chapman closing the game in the 9th. One of the things I've liked about Boone in his first campaign as manager is that he has not been afraid to throw Robertson, Betances and Chapman all in the same game, displaying his will to win. Adding Britton makes this bullpen one of the most dangerous in the game, and the added factor that both the Astros and Red Sox were going after Britton as well makes this trade all the more sweet. 

The next step for Cashman should be to find a starting pitcher he doesn't have to overpay for. Chris Archer is rumored to be on the move out of Tampa Bay, and would be a valuable asset to pitch behind Severino. For now, the Jacob DeGrom rumors have cooled off, but another mets ace, Zach Wheeler, seems to also be on the block and a target of the Yankees. Either of these two pitchers would make great additions to fix the Yankees starting rotation, the one aspect of the team holding them back from title contention.

It's Not Always Sonny In New York

Last trade deadline, Brian Cashman made a move for a starting pitcher that he and the Yankee community believed would be the star arm this team was looking for. This trade deadline, the front office and the fans are holding their heads in their hands watching their second "star pitcher" sabotage the team from the inside. Sonny Gray has posted a 5.85 ERA with a 5-7 record this season. In his 17 starts so far this season, about five haven't been atrocious.

The need for the Yankees to add another star pitcher into their rotation is paramount for future success this season. Houston has a juggernaut rotation, Boston is playing stellar baseball, and the rest of the American League is not too far behind. There is a plethora of role-playing pitchers in the Yankees clubhouse currently, players like Domingo German and Jonathan Loaisiga, along with the best farm system in baseball. Severino is the ace, C.C has been pitching well, and Tanaka is hurt. Getting rid of Sonny Gray will not only solve a problem for the rotation, but strengthen the team in a time where two of their starters are injured. Dumping Sonny Gray off to a team with a valuable asset in return is the way to go for the New York Yankees. Here are some potential options for trades I believe would be beneficial for both teams involved.

1. Jacob DeGrom and the New York Mets
This has been the top trade rumor since the beginning of the season. The mets are in disarray, except for DeGrom, who in 115 innings for the Mets has gathered a 1.79 ERA, only giving up 23 earned runs paired with 142 strikeouts. DeGrom is no fit for the Mets right now. They need to improve, and the only way to get better is to add pieces, which the Yankees have. The Mets will ask for either Gleyber Torres or Miguel Andujar for their ace, but Cashman is adamant on keeping those two around. If the Yankees were to offer Clint Frazier, Sonny Gray and some star prospects like Estevan Florial and Albert Abreu, I could see the Mets biting on the hook. Frazier has proven himself to be a worthy day to day player, Sonny Gray would need some fine tuning and possibly a minors stint to get his groove back, and Florial and Abreu add youth and potential star power to a team that needs both of those things very much. A Yankee rotation with DeGrom and Severino is exactly what they need to pass Houston come October, and the Mets need a top to bottom rebuild which can happen after this trade.

2. J.A. Happ and the Toronto Blue Jays
While inter-division trades, especially mid season are rare, this is one that could happen. The Blue Jays sit at 41-47 today, 16 games back of the first place Boston Red Sox. As it seems like the AL East is turning into a two horse race as the all-star break approaches, Toronto could want to make some moves. Happ is in his final year of a three year deal, and a rental period before a possible signing with the Yankees could be good for his career. The Blue Jays would need some youth in return, however the haul for the Blue Jays wouldn't be as substantial as what the Mets would acquire. Here, we could see a Sonny Gray and two prospects to the Blue Jays for Happ, or Sonny Gray and Clint Frazier with a prospect. The doubts around this trade lie more in will the Blue Jays help out the Yankees, a division rival, more than will the Jays give up Happ. They're looking to get younger, and a proven veteran arm like Happ may not fit the team's vision going forward. This is a trade I'd be excited to see.


There are many other trades possible that could get Sonny Gray the hell out of New York, but I feel these two would be the most sucessfull. Both are proven pitchers who excel against the top offenses this league has to offer. Happ is familiar pitching against the Red Sox and Astros, the Yankees two biggest competitors come playoff time. So long as Gray is off this team by July 31st, I'll be happy. He is an anchor that will continue to drag this playoff, possibly World Series bound team into the ground. As it stands right now, Gray should be in the bullpen for the remainder of the season and into the playoffs. Brian Cashman, do what you do best. Wheel and deal Sonny Gray around the league and out of New York, so the team can finally get the veteran ace it's been looking for.