Yankees: 3 Adam Ottavino trades that would help NYY shed salary

1 of 3

Up until the 2019 postseason, Adam Ottavino was a major asset for the New York Yankees. He was unhittable and a crucial part of the bridge to Zack Britton and Aroldis Chapman. However, after getting wrecked in postseason play, it was all downhill from there.

Not only was his 2020 season uninspiring — yes, we could remove his one disastrous outing and it looks a lot better, but there was still something off in regards to his strikeouts and location — but manager Aaron Boone used him ONCE in the five-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Is that worth $9 million? Not really.

We’d love nothing more than a bounce-back campaign from Otto, but we may not get to see that in New York based on the latest industry buzz. Ottavino could be a payroll casualty as the Yankees look to add more pitching pieces and possibly bring back Brett Gardner. However, if any deal were to go down, New York likely has to eat some salary.

In terms of trade destinations, here are the best ones for Ottavino if this is something the Yankees are exploring at the moment.

Phillies manager Joe Girardi (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

3. Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies need bullpen help and taking a flier on Ottavino could be smart.

Dave Dombrowski is now trying to salvage the situation in Philadelphia and he’s already added to the bullpen by signing Archie Bradley and trading for Jose Alvarado. Well, there’s a lot more work to be done with the league’s worst relief corps. So why not ask the Yankees to pay for a portion of Otto’s salary and give him a shot in 2021?

It wouldn’t be the worst idea. Any upgrade is beneficial for the Phillies, and this would likely only cost them money because the Yankees don’t have any leverage to get an impact player in return. Plus, general manager Brian Cashman knows he probably has to take on $3 million in almost any trade, so if the Phillies are looking for $6 million for Ottavino, that feels like a slam dunk. That’s what they’re paying for Bradley.

Ottavino, Bradley and Alvarado in the back end of the bullpen is certainly a start, and eons better than anything that was on the field in 2020. The Phillies are a trade partner Cashman needs to get into contact with because of their situation and a clear indication that Dombrowski is ready to be aggressive to ensure Bryce Harper’s prime isn’t wasted.

Chris Martin #55 of the Atlanta Braves (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

2. Atlanta Braves

The Braves are losing key pieces and the Yankees can help.

The Braves are the reigning NL East champs but have lost three key bullpen pieces in Shane Greene, Darren O’Day and Mark Melancon to free agency (and it’s unclear if they’re going to bring any of them back). While Ottavino, at the moment, wouldn’t effectively replace guys like Greene and Melancon, acquiring him on the cheaper side and hoping for a bounce-back isn’t a move to scoff at.

Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos is aggressive and likes to capitalize on market value, so perhaps he views this as an opportunity. Adding Ottavino’s wipeout slider and swing-and-miss potential to a bullpen that certainly needs fortifying is a step in the right direction. The Braves have only $117 million committed to the 2021 payroll and still have plenty of moves to make.

If the Yankees, as we’re projecting, take on $3 million, getting Otto for $6 million for just one year would hardly affect the Braves’ financial situation. Like the Phillies, the Braves would probably have to surrender a prospect of sorts, but it wouldn’t be anything prohibitive. And with the rest of the NL East getting better around them, Atlanta can’t afford to keep watching.

Trading for Ottavino and then adding a couple of other available options in free agency can help the Braves keep pace and avenge their NLCS loss to the Dodgers.

Kenley Jansen #74 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers are reconstructing their bullpen and they might like Ottavino.

Now, if the Yankees want to absorb the smallest portion possible of Ottavino’s $9 million salary for 2020, it’s probably in Cashman’s best interest to call the Los Angeles Dodgers. Perhaps the best scenario here is the Yankees take on $1 million and acquire lefty reliever Scott Alexander in return, who’s projected to make $1.2 million in arbitration.

The Dodgers are pressed up against the luxury tax threshold, but guess what? If they’re retaining Turner, they’re going over it. They’re already at $200 million with a few cases heading to arbitration, and we don’t think they’ll win their battle against Walker Buehler, which will cost them almost another $1 million. They might just have to go over.

So if you’re going to exceed it, why not use the analytically-driven front office and coaching staff to fix Ottavino and make him a deadly weapon in the middle innings? You’re telling me manager Dave Roberts won’t be able to deploy him in favorable spots to make him effective and rebuild his confidence?

The Dodgers run a bullpen by committee anyway. Nobody has a concrete role, which could greatly benefit the right-hander, who clearly has trouble handling pressure to a certain extent. And when you factor in Otto’s spin rate, FIP and xERA — all of which are solid despite his horrific ERA, WHIP and strikeout numbers from 2020 — it could be a good sell.

Three NL teams that still need varying degrees of bullpen help. It’s not out of the question.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 27: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Clint Frazier #77 of the New York Yankees in action against the San Diego Padres at Yankee Stadium on May 27, 2019 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Padres 5-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Yankees: 3 Clint Frazier trades that could pave the way for Marcell Ozuna

The New York Yankees are reportedly interested in Marcell Ozuna, which creates a lot of potential questions for the current roster, including Clint Frazier.

Home / Yankees Rumors