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

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.

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.

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.