BREAKING: Yankees Trade Francisco Cervelli To The Pittsburgh Pirates For Justin Wilson

We all knew the Yankees have catching depth. It was just a matter of time before they dealt from that depth and tonight they did. The Yankees have traded catcher Francisco Cervelli to the Pirates for relief pitcher Justin Wilson per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Cervelli has battled injury problems throughout his career as a Yankee. He played in 49 games, hitting .301/.370/.432 with two homers and 13 RBI. Cervelli is arbitration eligible for the first time this year and gives the Pirates insurance in case Russell Martin leaves in free agency.

In return, the Yankees received lefty reliever Justin Wilson. Wilson last season for the Pirates went 3-4 with a 4.20 ERA. He struck out 9.1 per nine innings. Lefties hit .253 against him last year, while righties hit .201. He had a .285 BABIP last year.

However, back in 2013, he went 6-1 with a 2.03 ERA, striking out 59 in 71 innings. Lefties hit just .233 against him.

Wilson averaged 95 MPH on his fastball per Fangraphs last season. He also throws a cutter, a slider, a curve and a changeup as well.

For the Yankees, it’s a power lefty out of the bullpen, something they didn’t really have last season. Even after letting go of Matt Thornton, Rich Hill didn’t exactly light up the radar gun. It gives them insurance in case Jacob Lindgren isn’t ready and if David Robertson leaves, and Dellin Betances gets elevated to closer, Wilson isn’t just a LOOGY and can help setup Betances.

Austin Romine and John Ryan Murphy will battle it out for the backup catcher position behind Brian McCann in spring training.