Yankees send Jordan Foley to the Rockies in exchange for Jefry Valdez

Before the dust settled following last night’s James Paxton trade, the Yankees were busy again tonight. This move isn’t as interesting, however. It isn’t even the Sonny Gray trade that we’ve been expecting. Instead, the Bombers agreed to send right-handed pitcher Jordan Foley to the Rockies in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jefry Valdez. Yep, it’s a classic minor league pitcher swap.

If you’re wondering why they would bother to do such a thing, Foley is eligible to be selected in the Rule 5 draft. It would have been a waste to add him to the 40-man roster to protect him, so at least they get something in return instead of seeing him swiped by another team.

Most recently, Foley participated in the Arizona Fall League where he was awful. Through 19.2 innings, he surrendered 20 earned runs, walked 19 batters, and notched 20 strikeouts. The reliever spent the 2018 season in Trenton where he posted a 2.98 ERA (4.07 FIP) with 9.09 K/9 and 4.75 BB/9. He clearly has command issues that need to be worked out.

As for Valdez, the 23 year old has been in the Rockies’ system since 2015, and has progressed as far as Low-A. The right-hander tossed 34 innings in relief last year, with 11.91 K/9 and 2.38 BB/9. He finished the season with a 5.82 ERA and 2.73 FIP.