New York Yankees: Grading The Offseason

Sep 11, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees pinch hitter Martin Prado (14) hits a two-run home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the eighth inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

8. Traded David Phelps and Martin Prado for Nathan Eovaldi, Garrett Jones, and Domingo German

Grade: D

The Yankees are taking too much of a gamble here with Nathan Eovaldi. This is a guy who allowed the most hits in the NL last season while pitching to a 4.37 ERA. The Yankees like his fastball, which averaged at 95.5 MPH last season and are hoping he lives up to his 3.37 FIP.

It seems to me that Garrett Jones was brought in to keep A-Rod on the bench and out of the lineup as much as possible. He has some pop (27 home runes in 2012) and is another left-handed bat in the Yankees heavy lefty lineup – a good excuse to keep A-Rod off the card.

Domingo German is 22 and has yet to reach the Double-A level. He still has quality stuff, but there is a possibility he will be converted to a reliever by the time he is in the big leagues.

The worst part of this trade was giving up Martin Prado. Prado was durable, playing in 156, 155, and 143 games the past 3 seasons. In just 37 games for the Yankees, he was off to a good start with a slash line of .316/.336/.541. His strong fielding metrics and ability to play him all over the diamond made him extremely valuable. Last year, he hit .366 against lefties – a good weapon to have when opposing managers will bring in left-handed relievers to face your primarily left-handed lineup.

It’s clear that Prado was needed in order to make this trade, but what they got in return was not worth it. Especially when you have Luis Severino in your system, who should be up sooner rather than later.

Next: Filling Second Base