'Now it's time to go': Yankees bolster 'pen at Trade Deadline
Bryan Hoch
@BryanHochPHILADELPHIA -- As the Yankees dressed in the visiting clubhouse at Citizens Bank Park late on Monday evening, Aaron Judge glanced at a television screen near his locker that was recapping some of the activity in what was shaping up to be an eventful Trade Deadline around the league.
"Other teams are making moves,¡± Judge said. ¡°Hopefully we start making moves too. We'll see."
It did not play out as the all-in push that many envisioned for the Yankees, but Judge offered a positive review of the additions that general manager Brian Cashman made ahead of Tuesday's 6 p.m. ET cutoff. With the front office setting a priority upon adding swing-and-miss relievers, right-handers Mark Leiter Jr. and Enyel De Los Santos were plugged into the bullpen.
TRADE DETAILS
Yankees receive: RHP Mark Leiter Jr. from Cubs; RHP Enyel De Los Santos, RHP Thomas Balboni Jr. from Padres
Cubs receive: RHP Jack Neely, INF Ben Cowles
Padres receive: OF Brandon Lockridge
"It's big time," Judge said. "The Trade Deadline is always a crazy day. I'm glad it's over with, glad we've got the guys we've got in this room, and now it's time to go."
They hoped to add a starting pitcher and were strong contenders for Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty, who was traded instead to the Dodgers. The Athletic reported that the Yanks and Tigers had a preliminary agreement, but New York backed out after reviewing medical records for Flaherty, who missed a start in early July due to a back issue.
The Yanks also had serious interest in acquiring Rays infielder Yandy D¨ªaz, who was not dealt.
Though the Yankees gauged interest in second baseman Gleyber Torres and outfielder Alex Verdugo, they were unable to find an acceptable match for either pending free agent. Left-hander Nestor Cortes also remained put, days after noting that he was aware of trade discussions involving his name.
Other players connected to the Yanks in published reports included Rays closer Pete Fairbanks, Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan, Angels infielder Luis Rengifo and Marlins closer Tanner Scott (traded to the Padres).
Leiter Jr. pitched a scoreless 10th inning in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the Phillies, becoming the third member of his family to pitch for the Yankees, joining his father, Mark Sr. (1990), and uncle Al (1987-89, 2005).
"It's pretty cool that now all three of us have played here," Leiter said. "It's a great legacy for my family, and to get a chance to put on the pinstripes is going to be awesome."
The Yankees believe the 33-year-old Leiter will provide a swing-and-miss presence that the bullpen has sorely lacked this season.
In exchange for Leiter, the Yankees swapped a pair of Top 30 prospects in right-hander Jack Neely and Ben Cowles.
Later in the afternoon, the Yankees finalized a deal with the Padres to acquire De Los Santos and Minor League right-hander Balboni in exchange for Minor League outfielder Lockridge.
De Los Santos, 28, was 1-2 with one save and a 4.46 ERA in 44 appearances for the Padres. He owns a 10.7 strikeouts-per-nine ratio and a 28.2% strikeout rate.
"We're looking forward to getting him into the mix and being part of our depth down there, and hopefully, carve out a role for himself," Boone said.
Leiter had a 2-4 record and a 4.21 ERA in 39 appearances for the Cubs, striking out 53 batters in 36 1/3 innings -- a 13.1 strikeouts-per-nine ratio that ranked as the fifth highest among relievers in the National League and 10th in MLB.
With a 34.9% strikeout rate, Leiter ranked fifth among NL relievers, while his 14.3% rate of allowing inherited runners to score was the best in the NL and third lowest in the Majors.
Since returning from the injured list on July 9, Leiter has retired all 23 batters he's faced over seven relief appearances, including 14 via strikeout during that stretch (7 2/3 innings).
"Not a lot of hits, doesn't walk a ton of guys and a lot of swing-and-miss there," Boone said. "He's also thrown the ball really well here this last month, and that's intriguing, too."
Opponents have especially struggled against Leiter¡¯s splitter this season, going 3-for-57 (.053) with zero extra-base hits. He has also held left-handed batters to a .213 batting average and a .657 OPS in his career.
In a smaller move, the Yankees dealt left-hander Caleb Ferguson to the Astros for Minor League right-hander Kelly Austin and international bonus pool money. Ferguson, 28, posted a 5.13 ERA across 42 appearances after being acquired from the Dodgers in February.
"He never got to that good, dominating place with us, but he did some really good things with us as well," Boone said.
TRADE DETAILS
Yankees receive: RHP Kelly Austin, international bonus pool money
Astros receive: LHP Caleb Ferguson
The Yanks¡¯ lone move for a position player came this past Saturday, when they acquired infielder/outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the Marlins in exchange for three Minor League prospects. Boone said that he is satisfied with the roster that he can now steer toward toward October.
"We have all the ingredients in there to get it done," Boone said. "We've got a long way to go, but that opportunity to have a special team is there for us."