GOING FOR IT!
After landing Gallo, Yanks swing deal for Cubs star Rizzo
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — At the beginning of July, Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said being a seller at the trade deadline is “not a direction I’m contemplating right now.”
He’s proving that to be true prior to the Friday deadline.
On the same day the Yankees announced the acquisition of outfielder Joey Gallo in a trade from the Rangers, the Yankees reached a deal to acquire first baseman Anthony Rizzo from the Cubs, according to sources, sending a pair of minor leaguers — right-hander Alexander Vizcaino and outfielder Kevin Alcantara — to Chicago.
The 24-year-old Viazcaino was at High-A Hudson Valley and Alcantara, 18, was with the Florida Complex League team in Tampa.
According to The Post’s Joel Sherman, the Cubs will also pick up the remaining money on Rizzo’s contract — about $5.5 million — a move that left the Yankees roughly $4 million shy of the $210 million luxury-tax threshold and able to make more trades prior to Friday.
Rizzo, who is set to become a free agent following this season, will turn 32 next month and doesn’t quite have the power he used to. He has 14 homers and a .792 OPS this season, but he’ll be a contact hitter in a lineup filled with swing-and-miss hitters, another lefthanded bat and solid at first.
He will play first base, with DJ LeMahieu likely staying at second, Gio Urshela at third and Gleyber Torres at shortstop.
Luke Voit, nearing a return from a stint on the injured list due to left knee inflammation, could be the odd man out, since Giancarlo Stanton is locked in at DH. Voit has struggled to stay healthy this season. He was sidelined by knee surgery in spring training and a strained oblique during the season, before hitting the IL again due to the knee.
And after leading the majors with 22 homers a year ago, Voit has been ineffective at the plate even when on the field, with just three home runs and a .698 OPS in 122 plate appearances.
The deal for Rizzo helps the Yankees completely shake up their offense, which many believed was too righthanded — especially after Aaron Hicks was lost for the season following wrist surgery.
With Rizzo and Gallo, they have added two powerful left-handed bats with excellent discipline.
And Rizzo also will add championship experience from his 2016 title with the Cubs.
Sending Vizacaino and Alcantara to the Cubs — after four prospects were shipped to Texas for Gallo and two more went to the Reds in exchange for righty reliever Clay Holmes — still leaves the Yankees with their top prospects in the organization, including outfielder Jasson Dominguez and infielder Anthony Volpe.
According to sources, the Yankees remained in the market for more pitching, as they look to strengthen their bullpen.
As for the luxury-tax threshold, after Steinbrenner said he would “absolutely consider’’ going over it if it would help the team contend for a title, the organization seems determined to remain under it this year.