On Saturday evening, the center of Yankees trade rumors surrounded Oakland Athletics starter, Sonny Gray.
Just a few hours into Sunday morning, it appears the Yankees are close to acquiring a starting pitcher, just not the one that everyone expected.
The Minnesota Twins are deep into discussions on a deal to send SP Jaime Garcia to the New York Yankees, sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2017
Sources: If a deal for Jaime Garcia is completed, Yankees still in the market for another starter, with Sonny Gray at the top of their list.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2017
According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, the Yankees are in deep discussions to acquire Jaime Garcia from the Minnesota Twins. If the trade is completed, Passan reports that it is not expected to take the Yankees out of the market for another starting pitcher.
The trade would mark the second time Garcia has been traded this month. The 31-year-old was acquired by the Twins as part of a three-player swap with the Atlanta Braves.
At the time of the initial trade, the Twins considered themselves “buyers” prior to the deadline. The Twins decided to shift gears after losing four of five games since the trade, falling seven games out of their division. With the deadline quickly approaching, the club is now looking at possible deals for some of their key veteran assets.
In his only start for the Twins, Garcia allowed three runs on eight hits in 6.2 innings. On the season, the 31-year-old is 5-7 with a 4.29 ERA in 19 starts.
Over the past few weeks, the Yankees have been focused on adding starting pitching depth. Garcia is in the final year of his contract and could be used in multiple roles for the Yankees.
With young pitchers in the rotation, such as Jordan Montgomery, the organization may have an innings limit on their youth to protect their arms. Garcia could be called upon to fill in a void in the rotation or could be used sparingly as a spot starter to help eat innings.
If they do acquire another starter prior to the deadline, the Bronx Bombers could utilize the 31-year-old in the bullpen. Garcia can be used as a long-reliever or could be the club’s left-handed specialist, a role the club has recently been looking to fill. However the club decides to use Garcia, the left-hander should provide the Bronx Bombers with some much-needed insurance and pitching depth down the stretch.
Source: #Twins have discussed Zack Littell in Jaime Garcia talks. Littell is the #Yankees No. 22 prospect, scratched from Sat. start. @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 30, 2017
In the trade package to get Garcia, one possible player that could be involved is Yankees prospect, Zack Littell. The Yankees’ No. 22 ranked prospect was scratched from his start on Saturday evening and could be on the move if the deal is finalized. In 18 starts between High-A and Double-A this season, the right-hander is 14-1 with a 1.87 ERA.
Although the trade is not yet finalized, it appears that a deal is close to being completed. More updates will follow when more information is announced.
Continue to follow the Bronx Pinstripes team for all the latest news and rumors surrounding the New York Yankees as the trade deadline approaches.
