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Here’s who Yankees acquired in Justin Wilson-Luis Cessa trade with Reds

CINCINNATI, OHIO - AUGUST 04: Luis Cessa #85 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during a game between the Cincinnati Reds and Minnesota Twins at Great American Ball Park on August 04, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - AUGUST 04: Luis Cessa #85 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during a game between the Cincinnati Reds and Minnesota Twins at Great American Ball Park on August 04, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Leading up to the trade deadline, general manager Brian Cashman got the proceedings started for the New York Yankees when he sent relievers Justin Wilson and Luis Cessa to the Cincinnati Reds to clear some salary and set the table for the next set of incoming moves.

Some weren’t happy about it. We really have to save $3 million against the luxury tax and get rid of a reliable reliever because Hal Steinbrenner can’t go over the threshold? Whatever.

Some still aren’t happy about it! Luis Cessa is continuing his productive 2021 campaign and owns a 2.38 ERA and 1.24 WHIP since joining the Reds. As for Wilson? Don’t look unless you want to be sick. The lefty, after putting up a 7.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 21 games with the Bombers, has a 1.69 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 12 games with Cincy. We could’ve used that, man!

At the time, the Yankees only got cash for the trade and were waiting on a player to be named later … which was revealed on Monday.

Shortly before their series opener against the Los Angeles Angels, the Yankees announced they acquired right-handed pitcher Jason Parker from the Reds to complete the July 28 trade.

So, who is this guy?

The Yankees acquired Jason Parker to complete the Reds trade from July 28. Here’s what you need to know.

Parker, 23, was selected in the 16th round of the 2019 MLB Draft and was among the minor leaguers who missed all of 2020 because of the pandemic. The former NC State pitcher has been totally solid in his debut professional season, though, maintaining a 4.05 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 19 games (18 starts) with Low-A Dayton in 2021. He’s struck out 91 batters in 80 innings of work.

The right-hander has a three-pitch arsenal consisting of a fastball, slider and changeup. But there’s also belief he possesses a sinker? We’ll update you on that when we can find more information. Nonetheless, seems like a solid situation.

After dealing with an injury that ended his 2019 campaign before losing all of 2020, Parker’s rebound cannot be ignored. His rise leading up to the 2019 draft was notable, too. He first attended junior college before transferring to NC State for his junior season.

That year, he started 16 games and maintained a not-so-great 4.76 ERA in 16 starts, but blanked the No. 1 team in the nation not too long before the Reds selected him.

The Yankees have been doing a lot better with their homegrown pitching prospects in terms of development and placement, so the fact they had their eye on Parker may suggest they see something the Reds didn’t.

We won’t know how this pans out for the Yanks for a long time, but at the very least, they re-tooled their bullpen and replaced Wilson and Cessa with Wandy Peralta, Clay Holmes and Joely Rodriguez and got a prospect out of it. If you’re forced to make changes because of self-imposed financial restrictions, you can certainly do a lot worse.

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