The New York Yankees continue to push for a trade for Sonny Gray, but in case there are any snags in trade talks, they were able to land Jaime Garcia.
Late Saturday night, the Yankees and Minnesota Twins were closing in on a trade to send Garcia to New York. On Sunday morning, the Yankees and Twins agreed on the deal to send Jaime Garcia to the Bronx with pitching prospects Zach Littell and Dietrich Enns going to Minnesota.
Jaime Garcia is fresh off being traded once already, as he was dealt by the Atlanta Braves to the Twins less than a week ago. Jaime Garcia made one start for Minnesota and won it for them. But now with Minnesota deciding to sell off, Garcia will head to New York and pitch in a pennant race.
For his career, Jaime Garcia is 67-52 with a 3.65 ERA; a career that has mostly been with the St. Louis Cardinals from 2008 through 2016. The 2017 season was the first time Garcia was playing anywhere else aside from St. Louis and already, he’ll be wearing a third jersey in this season.
What Garcia gives the Yankees is experience and a pitcher who can eat innings. He’s not an overpowering pitcher; his fastball will average in the low 90’s and just tops 91. His sinker is what will help him in the Bronx, especially to induce ground balls and potential double plays. He also throws a slider, curve-ball and change-up as well in his arsenal.
Some fans were upset over losing Littell in this trade, but he’s not on the 40-man roster and there’s a good chance that he could have been lost in the Rule 5 Draft. So instead of losing Littell for nothing, the Yankees get something for him, even if it’s for a few months since Jaime Garcia is considered a rental.
Most fans continue to hope for the Yankees to land Sonny Gray and there’s a chance that by the time the trade deadline concludes on Monday, the Yankees will have acquired him. But in case things don’t work out with Oakland and trade talks fall apart, the Yankees at least have another starter they can plug into the rotation.
Luis Severino has been very good and may be the new ace for them. Masahiro Tanaka has had his struggles, but has pitched better of late. CC Sabathia continues to pitch well. Jordan Montgomery has had his ups and downs lately, so if Montgomery falters, they have a nice fallback option with Jaime Garcia, who knows how to win at the major league level.
And if the Yankees do get Gray from Oakland, having six arms heading into the second half of the season is a good problem for the Yankees to have. After all, there is the old saying of “you can never have enough pitching.”
In the Yankees case, they’re going to need every capable arm possible if they want to hold off the Boston Red Sox in the American League East chase. So even if they do or don’t get Sonny Gray within the next 24 hours, having Jaime Garcia is a good fallback option to have.