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New York Yankees Panic Button: Trade Packages for Dellin Betances

By Sean Dyer

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 16: Dellin Betances #68 of the New York Yankees reacts as he is pulled from the game after walking the first two batters of the ninth inning against the Houston Astros in Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 16, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 16: Dellin Betances #68 of the New York Yankees reacts as he is pulled from the game after walking the first two batters of the ninth inning against the Houston Astros in Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 16, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – MAY 06: Blake Treinen #39 of the Oakland Athletics celebrates with Jonathan Lucroy #21 after the game against the Baltimore Orioles at the Oakland Coliseum on May 6, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Baltimore Orioles 2-1. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – MAY 06: Blake Treinen #39 of the Oakland Athletics celebrates with Jonathan Lucroy #21 after the game against the Baltimore Orioles at the Oakland Coliseum on May 6, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Baltimore Orioles 2-1. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

Blake Treinen became the Oakland Athletics’ closer toward the end of the 2017 season after being traded from the Washington Nationals at the deadline in a deal that sent Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson to the nation’s capital. Since joining Oakland, Treinen has been one of the better relievers in baseball. He finished 2017 with a 2.13 ERA in 38 innings and converted 13 of 16 save opportunities. So far in 2018, Treinen has a 1.13 ERA in 13 innings and has converted five of seven save opportunities.

Treinen shouldn’t have any issue moving to a setup role. In 2016, Treinen threw 67 innings of relief, putting up a 2.28 ERA with 22 holds. He would likely pitch in the sixth or seventh inning for the New York Yankees, falling somewhere between Chad Green and Tommy Kahnle in the pecking order. Treinen also has two more years of arbitration, making him a potential long-term piece for the Yanks.

Dellin Betances would get a fresh start in Oakland and pitch in a ballpark that’s a little more pitcher friendly than Yankee Stadium. Oakland may also be closer to contention than people thought. They are off to a surprising start in 2018 and a rejuvenated Betances could help down the stretch this season and in 2019 when they’ll be better equipped to compete in a tough AL West.

Brady Lail is a throw-in to compensate for Treinen’s extra year of team control. Lail is a former starter with solid minor league numbers. He’s moved to the bullpen this season for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and has a 2.08 ERA in nine appearances.

This bullpen swap has the sturdier reliever going to the contender who’s 2018 season is World Series or bust and the reliever with more upside going to the team who’s still looking to make the transition from rebuilding to contending.

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