New York Yankees Rumors: Five potential Bronx-bound trade options
By Paul Ashley
The Yankees have a starting pitcher under team control for next season that is not a fit in New York. Due to this, the team could look to turn him into players that will help right away in 2019.
Brian Cashman sent three prospects (Dustin Fowler, Jorge Mateo, and James Kaprielian) to the Oakland Athletics to acquire Sonny Gray prior to the trade deadline in 2017. Even though this seemed like a great trade at the time for the Yankees to (at the very least) give them a solid number two starting pitcher, it has not worked out that way at all.
As the Atlanta Braves are in need of an additional starting pitcher, Gray could be a great option that would likely benefit from a change in scenery. For example, in 15 road games last season, Gray held a 3.17 ERA and a 1.155 WHIP compared to a 6.98 ERA and a 1.904 WHIP through 15 games in the Bronx. Due to this, it makes sense why another team would be eager to make a trade for Gray.
As the Yankees are in need of a versatile player that knows how to cash-in with RISP, Charlie Culberson could be a great return piece from the Braves. Through 68 ABs last season, Culberson put together a .397 AVG, a .462 OBP, and a .647 SLG with RISP.
Through 178 career ABs in these situations, Culberson holds a .309 AVG, .371 OBP, and a .478 SLG. Out of Yankees players with at least 100 ABs with RISP last season, Aaron Hicks was the only player to have a higher OBP. Although this is a single season comparison of Hicks to someone elses career numbers, it shows the capability of Culberson in these situations.
Culberson also provides defensive versatility as he has MLB experience at first base, second base, third base, shortstop, left field, and right field. He also has 18 games worth of postseason experience between his time with the Braves and the Dodgers.
In the postseason, he holds a .286/.297/.486 slash-line. For a comparison, in the 2018 postseason, the Yankees as a team combined for a .254/.340/.393 slash-line. Culberson is also controllable through the 2022 season, so the Yankees could get long-term value if he is able to perform the way he did for Atlanta in 2018.
If the Yankees are able to obtain a relief pitcher such as Arodys Vizcaino, Jesse Biddle, or A.J. Minter alongside Culberson in a trade for Gray, it could help them salvage the loss of Fowler, Mateo, and Kaprielian to the A’s in 2017.