Spring training has already begun but the New York Yankees are still making moves. Reports declare that the Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a three-way trade.
It’s not a Giancarlo Stanton trade for the New York Yankees but is definitely something. Various reporters from FanRag Sports have declared that the Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to a three-team trade Tuesday afternoon.
Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports was the first to break news, tweeting that Brandon Drury would be arriving in the Bronx.
Yanks get Brandon drury
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 20, 2018
Diamondbacks beat writer Nick Piecoro added in the news that Steven Souza would be going to Arizona from the Rays.
Source: Dbacks have acquired Steven Souza from Rays in three-team deal. Brandon Drury is headed to the Yankees.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) February 20, 2018
So, what do the Yankees lose? They are giving up second base prospect Nick Solak to the Rays in order to land Drury. This was reported by Robert Murray of FanRag Sports. Bryan Hoch also added that the Yankees would be losing Taylor Widener to the Diamondbacks.
Source: #Rays acquiring 2B Nick Solak from the #Yankees. Return unknown.
— Robert Murray (@RobertMurrayFRS) February 20, 2018
It may not seem like a huge trade but, for the Yankees, it provides them with some much-needed reassurance in the infield. With Didi Gregorius being the lone seasoned vet in the infield, adding Drury takes that immense pressure off of Gleyber Torres, Miguel Andujar and Aaron Boone.
The 25-year-old Drury has played in two full seasons in Arizona and was also the subject of several trade conversations this offseason. Last season, Drury hit .267 with 13 home runs in 135 games played out West.
On the losing end, the Yankees are giving up Solak, who is ranked eighth on the Yankees top 30 prospects. They are also parting ways with Widener, a right-handed pitcher who was ranked 14th on the Yankees top 30.
With this new addition, the Yankees are bringing in another young player who has experience in the majors to help bolster their defense.
Also, we get to have some new puns. All hail the Judge and Drury.
We’ll stop now. But we’ll get our first taste of Brandon Drury at spring training. A solid move by the Yankees, this trade will help some fans breathe a huge sigh of relief.