Trade Rumors: Yankees Looking For Outfield And Bullpen Help
By Jason Evans
We are less than 24 hours away from the trade deadline, and the Yankees continue to look for players they can acquire to fill in the myriad of holes the team has. Their newest targets appear to be outfield and bullpen help per ESPN’s Jayson Stark.
We’ve heard about the Yankees being linked to Phillies’ outfielder Marlon Byrd. The new name that’s popped up is White Sox outfielder Dayan Viciedo. Viciedo this year is hitting .238/.287/.394 with 12 homers and 37 RBI. He is just 25 years old and under club control until 2018. Byrd has the option for 2016 that appears to be a sticking point to when and if he is traded.
As far as the bullpen goes, the big guys like Adam Warren and Dellin Betances may be tiring a bit, so the Yanks are looking at some veteran help. They’ve talked about Joaquin Benoit, Antonio Bastardo and James Russell. Benoit may or may not be dealt after the Pads traded Street.
Bastardo is 4-4 with a 4.17 ERA. Left-handed hitters are hitting just .185 against him in 66 plate appearances and he’s struck out 53 hitters in 45.1 innings. Russell is 0-2 with a 3.55 ERA. He’s struck out 26 in 33.1 innings. Lefties are hitting .295 against, but righties are hitting just .103.
Any and all would help provide depth for the Yankees, and with the clock ticking down, you know the Yankees will do something. It appears it’s just a matter of time.