The New York Yankees have made yet another trade.  This time they sent minor league pitcher Gage Ziehl, great name, to the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Austin Slater.  Let’s dive into what came in and what went out in this latest move by Brian Cashman. 

Actually, I am going to start with what went out.  And what went out was, well, nothing really.  Gage Ziehl was pitching for A+ Hudson Valley after being promoted earlier in the week.  He was not someone I heard of before the trade and his numbers will tell you why.  Ziehl has a 4.15 ERA in 82.1 innings with 70 Ks and a 1.239 WHIP.  That is not anything that grabs your attention or that you bemoan giving up.   

As for what the Yankees acquired.  Well, I said that with the Aaron Judge injury and his losing the ability to play the outfield that the Yankees needed an outfielder to sit on the bench and only play if necessary, thus ending the 4-man outfield rotation for now.  Well, Austin Slater is that guy.  It’s what he did in Chicago and they’re the White Sox.  Slater played in 51 games so far but only started 25 of them.  He is a bench guy, and that’s what the Yankees needed.  On the season Gage is hitting .236 with 5 home runs, 6 doubles, a triple, and 11 RBIs.  He has hit lefties pretty well.  In just 69 at bats, he is hitting .261 with all 5 of his homers, a double, a triple, and 8 of his RBIs.  He gives the Yankees another option to bring in a righty when the opposing team brings in a lefty reliever in against their left heaving hitting line up.  And he gives them someone to play the outfield if one of their starters has t come out of the game.  In other words, he’s a depth piece.   

So another trade for the Yankees that gives up pretty much nothing and gets back a player who will fill a role for them as they make their stretch run.  They may not be blockbusters, but the team is being improved.  Now for some bullpen arms.