The New York Yankees have acquired Frankie Montas, one of the most coveted starters available at the deadline, from the Oakland Athletics, further bolstering the roster of the American League East leaders.
As part of the blockbuster deal, the Yankees also received right-hander Lou Trivino.
New York is parting ways with four players to acquire the duo, sending left-handers Ken Waldichuk and J.P. Sears, right-hander Luis Medina and second baseman Cooper Bowman to the Athletics. For Oakland, the gem in the return is Waldichuk, one of the Yankees top prospects who has a 2.71 ERA across 76.1 innings of play in the minors this season.
With the A’s last in the American League, Montas was one of the top starters on the market heading into Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline with several playoff-level teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays, believed to have been in the running for his services.
Montas was sixth in American League Cy Young voting last year after going 13-9 with a 3.37 ERA. For his career, Montas is 35-32 with a 3.73 ERA, but has dealt with injuries this season.
Montas has pitched just once since coming off the injured list with a shoulder injury, but has been otherwise excellent this season — going 4-9 with a 3.18 ERA.
The 29-year-old Dominican is arbitration-eligible next season and can become an unrestricted free agent after the 2023 campaign.
Still, his addition further signals the Yankees’ intention to make a serious run this season. New York had already spent the lead up to Tuesday’s deadline making moves that cemented its place as one of baseball’s most formidable contenders, adding star outfielder Andrew Benintendi.
Benintendi, 28, is slashing .320/.387/.398 with three home runs and 39 RBI for the Royals this season. He is expected to provide an upgrade from the left side of the plate over Joey Gallo, who is hitting .159 with 106 strikeouts in 81 games this season.
Earlier on Monday, the Yankees added reliever depth too, bringing in Scott Effross from the Chicago Cubs. Effross, who has five more years of club control, is 1-4 with a 2.66 ERA, 50 strikeouts and 11 walks in 44 innings this season for the Cubs (41-60).
