New York Yankees add old friend Tyler Wade in trade to boost depth

The New York Yankees and Tyler Wade have an extensive history together. Now it appears they have a future (at least in the short term) together as well.

Wade, a fourth-round pick of the New York Yankees in the 2013 MLB draft, was acquired on Thursday from the Los Angeles Angels for a player to be named later. He will report to Triple-A and await word on how and when he can help the big league team as it churns toward the postseason.

What will the acquisition of Tyler Wade from the Los Angeles Angels mean for the New York Yankees?

After being sent from New York to Los Angeles this offseason in a trade, Wade was designated for assignment by the Angels earlier this month after slashing just .218/.272/.272 in 163 plate appearances. Last season, the 27-year-old Wade slashed .268/.354/.323 in 145 plate appearances in the Bronx, easily his best statistical season since making his MLB debut on June 27, 2017.

Wade being versatility to the Yankees, something the franchise already knew about but illustrated again this season as Wade played all positions other than pitcher, catcher, and first base for the Angels. Defense is certainly his calling card, as shown by his offensive numbers.

He has played in 264 games for the Yankees in his career, yet only made 491 plate appearances (1.86 plate appearances per contest), showing New York values him as a defensive replacement more than what he brings at the plate.

Wade also brings decent speed as a weapon, having stolen 25 bases over the last 170 contests between New York and Los Angeles. If the Yankees don’t use him as a defensive replacement, he could well be a late-inning pinch running option.

Wade will likely see time again at the MLB level later in the season, and can provide a number of roles for the Yankees. While this isn’t the biggest trade that will likely go down for New York before the August 2 deadline, it still can pay dividends down the road.