MLB Trade Rumors: Yankees, Diamondbacks and Rays swing three team trade
By Jason Evans
The New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks add pieces to help fill holes while the Tampa Bay Rays continue their rebuild
The New York Yankees had been looking for some help at second and/or third base to give some depth so they don’t have to start rookies at both positions after trades this off-season. The Arizona Diamondbacks were looking for right-handed power in the outfield with J.D. Martinez leaving for Boston. The Tampa Bay Rays were looking to continue their efforts to…well…I’m not quite sure. Anyway, the three clubs have come together on a deal.
Yankees acquire: INF Brandon Drury
D’Backs acquire: OF Steven Souza, RHP Taylor Widener
Rays acquire: 2B Nick Solak, LHP Anthony Banda
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Drury can play either second or third for the Yankees. He doesn’t turn 26 until August. He won’t be arbitration eligible until after the 2019 season. Drury hit .267 with a .764 OPS. He’s young and it could be his best years are right around the corner, like Didi Gregorious was when the Yankees got him.
The Yanks gave up Solak and Widener in this deal. Solak was the team’s eighth best prospect and Widener 14th per MLBpipeline.com at the end of last year. If it’s one thing the Yankees have a lot of prospect depth in, it’s right-handed pitching and middle infielders.
For Arizona, they get right-handed thump in the outfield from Souza at a fraction of what the Red Sox just paid Martinez. Souza broke out last year, hitting 30 homers with an OPS of .810. He won’t be a free agent until 2021. The Diamondbacks also recently signed Jarrod Dyson, so they now have five outfielders for three spots with A.J Pollack, Yasmany Tomas and David Peralta. The loss of Drury won’t hurt as much as Chris Owings can play second which should open up short for Ketel Marte. They also have Daniel Descalso for infield depth. Arizona also gets Widener who will give them some more minor league pitching depth after giving up Banda, who was their fourth-ranked prospect.
Next: Could Padres and Braves help each other in a trade?
For Tampa, they get a left-handed starter in Banda, who could make an impact on their major league roster this year. In Solak, the Rays hope that he and shortstop Willy Adames can be the double play combo of the future. In giving up Souza, along with Corey Dickerson over the weekend, the Rays tank is fully on.
This is a trade that can help all three teams achieve their goals. For two of the teams, they get cost controlled assets that can help make repeat playoff runs. For one, it’s more pieces for their rebuild. What’s next as the Hot Stove has invaded spring training?