Yankees acquire infielder Adeiny Hechavarria from Pirates
For the second time in a month, infielder Adeiny Hechavarria was traded, this time to the Yankees. And since the deal was complete before Midnight on Sept. 1, Hechavarria will be eligible for Postseason play.
Following the Yankees dramatic 7-5 victory over the Tigers on Friday, general manager Brian Cashman completed his second trade of the day (former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen was the first) — this time sending the infamous Player to be Named Later (or cash) to the Pirates for utility infielder Adeiny Hechavarria and cash considerations.
Hechavarria, 29, was first traded on August 6 from the Rays to Pirates for right-hander Matt Seelinger.
This season, the free-agent-to-be is slashing .254/.287/.342 with 31 runs scored, 11 doubles, four home runs and 29 RBIs in 284 at-bats (76 games total) — which are all in line with his career averages.
However, Hechavarria is still in the majors for his glove. He’s a high-quality defender that primarily plays shortstop but has seen time at second base and third during his seven years in the bigs.
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In 232 chances this season, all at short, Hechavarria has only committed three errors while racking up 67 putouts and 162 assists for a plus-3 defensive run saved mark.
Per Fangraphs, since his debut in 2012 with the Blue Jays, his plus-22 defensive runs saved ranks seventh among shortstops during that span.
With rosters set to expand and Didi Gregorius still working his way back from a severely bruised heel, Hechavarria will likely act as a late-inning defensive replacement.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated 27-year-old left-handed pitcher Ryan Bollinger.
Bollinger, a 47th round pick by the Phillies in 2009, pitched 111.2 innings between Trenton and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season where he compiled an 8-6 record, 3.87 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, .245 BAA and a 97:33 K:BB ratio.
Though I expected Tyler Wade or Gio Urshela to be recalled in September — both of whom are very good with the glove, perhaps the Yankees value Hechavarria’s proven major league defensive abilities over the younger pair of infielders.