New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has been active at the GM meetings this week, but the only deal he was able to execute as of Friday night came in the form of two minor-league players from the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Yankees traded away right-handed pitcher Nick Nelson and catcher Donnie Sands in exchange for T.J. Rumfield and Joel Valdez, both of whom are 21 years old.
The New York Yankees today announced that they have acquired minor leaguers INF T.J. Rumfield and LHP Joel Valdez from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for RHP Nick Nelson and C Donny Sands.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) November 19, 2021
Rumfield made his professional debut with single-A Clearwater, batting .250 with 13 runs and seven RBIs in 27 games. Having been selected initially in the 12th round of the 2021 first-year player draft, Rumfield will join the Yankees’ farm system, where he will look to continue developing.
Valdez, who hosted a 1.63 ERA in 15 starts with the DSL Phillies Red this past season, will also join the Yankees’ minor-league system. The left-handed pitcher was 2–2 in two campaigns, recording one save in 26 appearances. He is primarily a starting pitcher, recording 19 starts over his past two seasons.
The Yankees parted way with Nick Nelson, who went 0–2 with an 8.79 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 11 appearances in 2021. Nelson has professional experience but struggled considerably when called upon, making him a liability at times. Philadelphia will look to develop him differently and hopefully extract some of the hype he garnered in the minors.
Sands, who featured with the double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre teams, hit .261 with 47 runs and 18 homers this past season over 94 games. Sands is a solid prospect, but at 25-years-old, he may serve a backup purpose down the line. He was initially picked in the eighth round of the 2015 first-year player draft.