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Yankees, D-backs fill lineup holes in three-team trade
The New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks answered important lineup questions on Tuesday, completing a three-team, five-player trade with the Tampa Bay Rays that will net New York a needed infield option and Arizona a new outfielder.
According to FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman, the Yankees received Brandon Drury in the deal from Arizona, while the D-backs acquired veteran outfielder Steven Souza Jr. from Tampa Bay.
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Drury has started 269 games for Arizona at six different positions over the past two seasons, with the majority of those in 2017 coming at second base. He was a respectable .275/.323/.453 hitter during that time, adding 29 total home runs.
Drury doesn’t have the upside of Starlin Castro, who was traded by New York in the Giancarlo Stanton trade over the winter, but he’s now among the most solid and experienced infield options new manager Aaron Boone will have entering the new season. He’ll battle up-and-comers Miguel Andujar and Gleybor Torres for playing time at third and second base.
Regardless, Drury figures to see a lot of playing time in New York, particularly against left-handed pitching.
The addition of Souza will help Arizona fill out its outfield after J.D. Martinez chose Boston over a return to the Diamondbacks in free agency. Souza, who before last season was known mostly for his frequent highlight reel plays in the outfield, flashed some big power in 2017 with a career best 30 homers. If that power surge continues then Arizona will maintain its place among the NL’s most dangerous offenses.
The Diamondbacks still have A.J. Pollock, an All-Star caliber outfielder who has battled injuries in recent seasons, and the underrated David Peralta, as options. They also signed veteran Jarrod Dyson to a two-year deal on Monday. Yasmany Tomas figures to be on the outside looking in headed into training camp.
The Rays will reportedly receive left-hander Anthony Banda, who was among the D-backs’ top pitching prospects, in addition to infield prospect Nick Solak from New York in Tuesday’s trade. The Yankees will receive minor league pitcher Taylor Weidner from Arizona to complete the deal.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Yahoo Sports Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
