Last night, the New York Yankees struck their first deal of the trade season. After suffering another brutal loss to the Mets, the Yanks announced that they had acquired All Star outfielder Andrew Benintendi from the Kansas City Royals.
New York traded away three minor league pitchers to acquire Benintendi. At the moment, talks of the Yankees acquiring Juan Soto have cooled now that they have Benintendi in the fold. While they are not completely out on Soto, they have shifted their attention while monitoring his market.
The Yankees are completely focused on upgrading their pitching. They are interested in upgrading their rotation as well as their bullpen. Their interest in the starting pitching market is known and they are looking at the top of the market.
Luis Castillo and Frankie Montas are at the top of the Yanks wishlist. Cashman sent one of his scouts to Cincinnati to watch Luis Castillo last night who went seven strong innings. The Yankees have actively talked about Frankie Montas with the A’s since the season started. However, there’s another starter New York is seriously engaged on.
Yankees will look to add multiple starters?
I was talking with a few writers this morning and the general feel is that the Yankees have real interest in acquiring Jose Quintana from the Pirates. Quintana is having a solid year pitching to a 3.70 ERA with a WHIP of 1.284.
Now, it’s not the sexiest move, but it’s one that the Yankees are definitely interested in doing. Before anyone panics, this deal would not preclude them from adding Luis Castillo or Frankie Montas. From what I was told, the Yankees would add Quintana as an innings eater/insurance.
Think of Quintana like Jaime Garcia or Lance Lynn. New York’s primary trade targets in those years were JA Happ and Sonny Gray. The Yankees still got both of them, but they also acquired Jamie Garcia and Lance Lynn as insurance.
Quintana would give New York a serviceable arm that can either come out of the bullpen in long-relief or he could slot into the rotation whenever needed. The Yankees priority is still at the top of the market. However, don’t be shocked if they get Quintana first before adding one of the high-end arms.