The New York Yankees have finally gotten their hands on a starting pitcher to help them down the stretch.
The New York Yankees and division rival Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a trade that will see starting pitcher J.A. Happ go to New York in exchange for third baseman Brandon Drury and outfield prospect Billy McKinney. This comes just two days after the Yankees acquired left-handed reliever Zach Britton.
It's HAPPening. pic.twitter.com/2FUPA0t7Nm
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 26, 2018
Happ, who appeared in his first career All-Star game this year, will provide some much-needed help to the bottom part of the Yankees starting rotation. In 2018, he is 10-6 with a 4.18 earned run average.
Happ was a member of the Philadelphia Phillies World Series winning team in 2008 and National League Championship winning team in 2009.
He also brings the Yankees additional American League East experience. His most recent time from 2016 to now was his second stint with the Blue Jays after a run from 2012-2014.
The Yankees were able to part with two players in this trade that struggled to find spots on the big league roster.
Drury, who still has three years of control, was only able to get 51 at bats with the Yankees due to a trip to the disabled list and losing his spot to the surging Miguel Andujar. However, Drury was named an International League All-Star during his extended stay with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders.
McKinney was called up at the beginning of the season to replace the then-injured Aaron Hicks but suffered an injury himself after crashing into the wall at the Rogers Centre on March 31. McKinney was recently named the Yankees number 20 prospect according to MLB Pipeline.
If the Yankees wished to make any more moves this year, they still have a surplus of prospects to trade. The 2018 Trade Deadline is Tuesday, July 31.
