YANKS GOING ALL LYNN!
Acquire Twins starter to bolster rotation for playoff push
As reassuring as it was Sunday to watch J.A. Happ go out and give the Yankees six solid innings, the day before was a reminder that Brian Cashman had more work to do before Tuesday’s non-waiver trade deadline.
Monday, the Yankees GM again made a move to shore up his rotation as his club heads into the final stretch in a battle for the American League East. The Yankees acquired Lance Lynn from the Twins Monday night, sending back Tyler Austin, outfielder/first base, and right-handed pitcher Luis Rijo.
The Red Sox went into their game Monday night with a 51⁄2-game lead over the Yankees, who were off. The acquisitions the Yankees have made so far, bringing in Happ, Lynn and lefty closer Zach Britton, set them up with a decent rotation of starters and the ability to limit them to five or six innings and then turn to dominant relievers.
They also made moves lining them up to take on the Red Sox and potential wild card opponents.
Happ was a smart move for the Yankees, who sent back infielder Brandon Drury, who struggled to find playing time, and minor league outfielder Billy McKinney to Toronto for the veteran lefty. He has had an overall solid season and sports an impressive track record against the Red Sox.
Lynn has struggled after signing late with the Twins in a strange free agent market. Inked to a one-year, $12 million deal in mid-March, Lynn went 7-8 with a 5.10 ERA over 20 starts. He began the season pitching to a 7.47 ERA over his first eight starts. In his last 12, however, Lynn has looked more like himself. He’s gone 6-4 with a 3.74 ERA in those starts.
And in his very last start for the Twins, Lynn went out and held the Red Sox’ powerful lineup to two earned runs over six innings, an encouraging sign.
Sunday, when Happ lasted six innings against the Royals, it was only the second time that a Yankee starter had gotten through the sixth since the All-Star break. There are other worrisome signs as well.
Saturday, ace Luis Severino struggled again. With an ERA north of eight in his last four starts, the Yankees have to be concerned about him. In the nightcap of a split double header against the Royals, Sabathia tumbled chasing an infield hit, falling on his surgically-repaired right knee. The brace he wears to protect and support the knee got caught in the turf, making the fall look worse than it was, but the fact that he could not get out of the fifth is reason enough to be concerned down the stretch. Masahiro Tanaka, scheduled to start Tuesday night against the Orioles at the Stadium, has been combustible and an injury concern this season. Sonny Gray, who had at least one scout in town to watch his last start, has been solid in three straight starts, but that is not enough for the Yankees to bet their playoff pursuit on.
So the deal for Lynn gives them options and insurance as they try and make a run at the Red Sox.
The Yankees also sent right-handed reliever Adam Warren to the Mariners on Monday.
Warren, 30, had a 2.70 ERA in 24 appearances out of the pen for the Yankees this season. Moving Warren, for a nice return of $2.5 million in international bonus pool money, freed up a roster spot for Lynn. It also created a spot in the bullpen, potentially.
Lynn has made 22 regular season relief appearances and came out of the bullpen as recently as 2013 in the playoffs for the Cardinals.
The Yankees managed to make these moves while still keeping an eye on building for the long term. In moves with the Mariners, Cardinals and White Sox (dealing lefty Caleb Frare), the Yankees had accumulated $3.75 million in international bonus pool money.
Keeping control of their international slot money, the Yankees reportedly signed Cuban right-hander Osiel Rodriguez, according to El Nuevo Herald. The No. 5 international prospect, according to Baseball America, received $600,000 in a signing bonus and the Yankees are reportedly very active with remaining international talent.