The Yankees have found Aaron Judge’s new stand-in.
The team announced on Friday they have acquired veteran outfielder Andrew McCutchen along with cash considerations from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for prospects Abiatal Avelino and Juan De Paula. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the clubs are reportedly splitting the approximately $2.4 million still remaining on McCutchen’s contract.
TRADE: The Yankees have acquired OF Andrew McCutchen along with cash considerations from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for INF Abiatal Avelino and RHP Juan De Paula.
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) August 31, 2018
McCutchen, 31, will fill an outfield void left by Judge, who’s missed nearly five weeks with a chip fracture in his right wrist. According to Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone, Judge has yet to swing a bat due to pain at the end of his range of motion.
Although Judge’s prolonged recovery has caused a stir, the team still expects him to return to action sometime in September.
In 130 games this season, McCutchen has slashed .255/.357/.415 with 15 home runs, 28 doubles, 55 RBI, and 123 strikeouts. The 2013 National League MVP and five-time All-Star will be an offensive and defensive upgrade from Yankees’ journeyman Shane Robinson, who entered Thursday hitting a scant .156 in 23 games.
Avelino, a 23-year-old middle infielder who is Yankees’ No. 23 prospect per MLBPipeline, has hit a combined .287/.333/.446 with 15 homers and 66 RBI in 501 plate appearances between Triple-A and Double-A Trenton.
De Paula, a 20-year-old right-hander who is New York’s No. 26 prospect, is 2-2 with a 1.71 ERA in nine starts with Low-A Staten Island this season. In 47.1 innings, De Paula has allowed 35 hits, nine earned runs, and struck out 46.
McCutchen will be eligible for free agency this upcoming winter.
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