The New York Yankees just got back Aroldis Chapman, but recently lost Zack Britton and has been without Tommy Kahnle for quite some time already. The unit, regarded as one of the best and deepest in baseball, hasn’t been able to stay on the field at the same time at any point in the season. Pitchers such as Jonathan Holder, Chad Green, Jonathan Loaisiga and Adam Ottavino are helping it stay afloat.
However, without Kahnle and Britton, the Yankees lost some of the star power in their bullpen. Today, they traded veteran David Hale for 25-year-old hurler Addison Russ (not to be confused with former Cubs shortstop Addison Russell) and sent David Hale to the Philadelphia Phillies.
It’s clear that the New York Yankees are seeking some upside with the transaction. David Hale is seen as a steady veteran with little upside: he is now 32, but has been pitching very well this season with a 3.00 ERA and a 2.34 FIP. He also has struck 26.9% of the batters he has faced in 2020.
The Yankees like his projectability
However, Cashman and the Yankees traded that steady presence in their bullpen for some potential star-power arm in Addison Russ. The former Phillie is 25 years old and has been dominant in the minor leagues, including a 2.54 ERA with 81 strikeouts over 56 2/3 innings at the Double-A level in 2019. For now, he’ll go to the Yankees’ alternate training site.
Russ was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017, most precisely in the 19th round out of Houston Baptist University. He is a native of Amarillo, Texas.
The newest Yankees pitcher had a good spring training as a non-roster invitee in February and March, pitching 5 2/3 frames and allowing just one run, five hits and three walks, with five punchouts and a 1.59 ERA.
Russ throws a mid-90s fastball and a very good splitter, according to NJ.com.