The Yankees managed to give us a thrilling MLB Trade Deadline after all. With minutes to go before the window slammed shut, the team acquired reliever Camilo Doval from the Giants and utility infielder José Caballero from the Rays.
First, talk about one of the weirdest, most awkward scenarios of the deadline. In the middle of the seventh inning, the Yankees traded for Caballero, with Everson Pereira and a PTBNL heading in the other direction. The move came just minutes after the Yankees sent Oswald
Peraza to the Angels for minor league outfielder Wilberson De Peña and international bonus pool money. Then, with just two minutes to go before the buzzer, Jack Curry dropped an unexpected bomb announcing the arrival of the flame-throwing Doval from San Francisco for Jesus Rodriguez, Parks Harber, Trystan Vrieling and Carlos De La Rosa.
Caballero figures to fill the void of a backup shortstop created by Peraza’s departure and offers broader versatility off the bench having fielded every position except first base and catcher. More importantly, he offers a genuine top-end threat of speed, leading MLB with 34 stolen bases. He’ll never offer much with the bat but at least he’s walking more this year, which helps maximize the strongest facet of his game.
Brian Cashman said he wanted multiple impact arms to restock his ailing bullpen and he delivered on his word, Doval completing a deadline day makeover that started with David Bednar from the Pirates followed by Jake Bird from the Rockies. Once again, the Yankees cashed in on the catcher depth they’ve developed, Jesus Rodriguez headlining another deal for a reliever. Doval has recovered some of the electricity of his sophomore and junior seasons — though he’s not quite averaging triple digits with his cutter the way he used to, he’s keeping the ball in the park at the best rate of his career.
Though the Yankees lose a couple of higher-regarded prospects in Pereira and Roc Riggio in the Bird trade, they managed to hang on to all of their top names. Spencer Jones’ name surfaced a few times including in rumors linked to Sandy Alcántara, but the Yankees held firm with Jones posting the best numbers of any hitter in the minors. Cam Schlittler also gets his wish of staying with the team, the Yankees pursuing starting pitching until the end but never pulling off a deal. However, it appears the front office is serious about this season, adding several players who were among the best at their particular skill sets.
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