For the first time in seven years, the Yankees and Red Sox have agreed on a trade.
Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reported that the Yankees have traded Adam Ottavino, prospect Frank German and $850,000 in a salary dump to Boston, who will take on most of the money remaining in Ottavino’s contract. The Yankees will receive cash considerations or a player to be named later.
Source: The Yankees have traded Adam Ottavino to the Red Sox.
— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) January 25, 2021
The Yankees are kicking in $850,000 into the Ottavino trade.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) January 25, 2021
The #Yankees basically said they would rather have what else they can get in this marketplace for, say, between $5M-$10M within budget to stay under $210M luxury tax threshold than Ottavino/F.German. That is their end of trade: What else they can get in the marketplace.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) January 25, 2021
This is big for two reasons. One, because the Yankees and Red Sox historically do not trade with each other anymore. This is the first trade between the two teams since 2014 when Boston traded Stephen Drew in exchange for Kelly Johnson.
Two, Ottavino was due $8 million this year, $9 million that would count against the luxury tax. The Yankees trading Ottavino frees up money for them to go out and make another signing while staying under the luxury tax threshold. Another lefty bat and/or a reliable reliever to replace Ottavino seems like a real possibility.
After a strong first year with the Yankees, Ottavino derailed in the 2019 playoffs and his struggles continued into 2020.
In 2020, he had a 5.89 ERA, 25 K, 20 H .375 BABIP, 1.58 WHIP and a 0.2 WAR in 18.1 IP. Boone lost trust in him late in the season and as a result, he only appeared in one postseason game and pitched 0.2 innings and gave up 1 run.
He had some great moments in New York, but Ottavino could never get back to his 2019 self. Following this move, look for the Yankees to make another signing or two in the coming weeks before pitchers and catchers report to camp.
