Three Possible Pittsburgh Pirates Trades With The New York Yankees

New York Yankees acquire lefty reliever Tony Watson from the Pittsburgh Pirates for Yankee prospect Drew Finley (#18) and prospect Tyler Wade (#15).

Once again the Yankees get the last piece of their big three here.  Watson would give the Yankees a lefty option to play matchups with Dellin Betances late in games.  Watson has pitched successfully in the 7th and 8th innings in his career and had some closing experience.

Last year, the Yankees moved forward with two lefties in Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman.  It will be impossible to replicate that sort of production, but Watson gives them a high-upside reliever that will give them well above-average production.

On the Pittsburgh Pirates side of things, it helps them in a few ways.  First off, they trade away from their overabundance of lefty relievers.  Second, it clears about six million dollars that will allow them to find another starting pitcher.

Lastly, they get a couple of quality prospects in return that could give them the flexibility to make another trade.  The Pirates have seen plenty of the top pitching prospects graduate to the majors over the last two seasons.

Drew Finley was a third round pick in 2015.  He was considered one of the most polished pitchers in the 2015 draft class.  He would be a top 20 prospect for the Pittsburgh Pirates right off the bat, and likely would be close to a top 10 if his career continues the way scouts expect.  His ETA according to MLB Pipeline is the end of the 2018 season.  His fastball sits in the lower 90s and has a good sinking action to it.  He projects to be a number three type starter.

The other prospect is more intriguing.  Tyler Wade is projected to be called up this season.  He can play shortstop, but it the Yankees system seems more likely to be at second base.  Well, that would be the case here as well.

The Bucs currently are trying to trade second baseman Josh Harrison.  Also, the team seems to want to keep Adam Frazier as a super utility player.  Wade, on the other hand, is considered a plus defender.  Add that defense to his ability to get on base (.352 last year), and the Pirates might have their legitimate future second baseman.  He at least will give some insurance behind Alen Hanson also.