Pinstripe Alley - Yankees trade Martin Prado and David Phelps to Marlins for Nathan Eovaldi, Garrett Jones, and Domingo GermanBig boi dinger enthusiastshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51961/pinstripe_alley_minimal.png2014-12-22T16:00:03-05:00http://www.pinstripealley.com/rss/stream/71875302014-12-22T16:00:03-05:002014-12-22T16:00:03-05:00Did the Yankees unload Martin Prado just in time?
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<figcaption>Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Martin Prado was excellent in 37 games with the Bombers last year, but his performance looked an awful lot like a fluke. There's reason to believe that Prado will be significantly worse in 2015.</p> <p>Martin Prado was everything the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> could have hoped for after they acquired him from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> at last year's trade deadline. The highly versatile Prado played solid defense at second base, third base, and the corner outfield spots, but most of his value came from his bat. In 37 games, he hit for an impressive .316/.336/.541 clip, which was good enough for a 146 wRC+. Yet despite his triumphs with the Yankees down the stretch, Brian Cashman and company decided not to include him in their 2015 plans, and instead packaged him with <span>David Phelps</span> in return for <span>Nathan Eovaldi</span>, <span>Garrett Jones</span>, and minor-league pitcher <span>Domingo German</span>.</p>
<p>As good as Prado was for the Yankees in the season's final weeks, his performance actually looks a little concerning when analyzed with a finer-tooth comb. Lets take a look at his underlying numbers over three periods of time: His career up until 2014, the first four months of the year with the D-Backs, and his six weeks in pinstripes.<br><a style="color: #743399;" data-mce-href="http://pinstripepundits.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/WAR-aging.png" href="http://pinstripepundits.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/WAR-aging.png"><br style="color: #444444;"></a><a style="color: #743399;" data-mce-href="http://pinstripepundits.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Prado2.png" href="http://pinstripepundits.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Prado2.png"><img style="color: #444444; margin: 0px auto 12px; display: block; clear: both; max-width: 100%; height: auto;" data-mce-src="http://pinstripepundits.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Prado2.png" height="191" width="1026" alt="Prado" src="http://pinstripepundits.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Prado2.png" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8144"></a><br>Prado's strong finish to 2014 was largely driven by two factors: Above-average power and a .340 BABIP. Both of these things were uncharacteristic for the 30-year-old, and both ISO and BABIP can be deceptively fluky over just a few weeks of games. As a result, it's probably safe to assume Prado's true talent level is closer to his career numbers: .138 ISO and .311 BABIP. Meanwhile, Prado's strikeout and walk numbers -- which are much more reliable in small samples -- continued to trend in the wrong direction. Digging a little deeper, we can trace this back to Prado's plate discipline, which took a dive after he was traded to the Yankees. For whatever reason, he started swinging at way more pitches out of the zone with the Yankees. His O-Swing% jumped from 27% with the D-Backs to 34% with the Yankees.</p>
<p>Regardless of his impressive surface numbers, this doesn't look like a player who took a step forward with a new team. Pair Prado's 2014 strikeout and walk numbers with his career power numbers, and you have a pretty mediocre player. We all know Prado's 2015 numbers will fall well short of the 146 wRC+ he put up with the Yankees. That much is obvious, but a look under the hood suggests the guy who hit .270/.317/.370 (89 wRC+) in 436 plate appearances with the D-Backs may be the real Prado.</p>
<p>It's debatable whether or not the Yankees' return for Prado -- an upgrade to their rotation, a bench bat, and a low-level pitching prospect -- was worth coughing up a player with his versatility. However, it's pretty clear they managed to part ways when his value was at its highest. Prado's offensive numbers have been on the decline for a couple of years now, and his six-week stint with the Yankees looks like a flash in the pan rather than a return to 2012 or 2013 form.</p>
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https://www.pinstripealley.com/yankees-analysis-sabermetrics/2014/12/22/7430035/yankees-trade-martin-prado-marlins-analysis-2015-teamchris.mitchell.71402014-12-20T17:00:02-05:002014-12-20T17:00:02-05:00Yankees would rather start youngsters than Prado
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<figcaption>Martin Prado was traded from the Yankees to the Marlins Friday. | Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Trading Martin Prado to the Marlins may not have been the Yankees' favorite move to make, but if they want to have Rob Refsnyder and Jose Pirela on the big league roster in 2015, it was definitely a necessary one.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a>' trading <span>Martin Prado</span> and <span>David Phelps</span> to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins</a> in exchange for right-hander <span>Nathan Eovaldi</span>, first baseman <span>Garrett Jones</span> and pitching prospect Domingo German Friday has some in the former's fanbase up in arms, but New York GM Brian Cashman says the deal is worth it.</p>
<p>Cashman, speaking about the swap Friday afternoon, thinks making it was necessary in order to give guys like Rob Refsnyder and <span>Jose Pirela</span> and a chance to play in 2015, something that's consistent with the team's past statements. The Yankees often expressed their interest in carrying the duo on future rosters this summer, so it's unlikely they wanted to keep Prado after re-signing <span>Chase Headley</span> on Monday.</p>
<p>Still, it's possible sending Prado away will someday come back to hurt the Yankees, as the veteran solidly batted .316 with seven home runs and 16 RBI in 37 contests for them last season.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"After we signed Headley, we felt we had these young kids who could compete and take the job there at second," <a href="http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/104510462/yankees-acquire-nathan-eovaldi-garrett-jones-domingo-german-from-marlins">Cashman told MLB.com's Paul Casella</a>. "Only with the right deal would we move Prado, and we felt this was a deal worth taking a shot at."</p>
<p>It certainly may prove to be, with Eovaldi and Jones both seeming to have much potential. Eovaldi, despite going just 6-14 with a 4.37 ERA in 2014, is known to have a fastball in the upper-90s, while Jones has hit 94 homers over the last five years.</p>
<p>But that doesn't mean cutting ties with Prado was easy for Cashman, who praised the utility man for his personality.</p>
<p>"It's not easy (trading Prado)," Cashman said. "Not just because of his versatility, but the type of player and person he is. The leadership qualities he possesses, the ability for him to play second, third and outfield. Those are valuable assets for a manager."</p>
<p>They definitely were when the Yankees were vying for a playoff spot in August and September, a time period in which Prado excelled wherever he started. Originally acquired to man right field, Prado often impressed with his glove in the infield as well, particularly at second.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, since they're trying to get younger this offseason, it's probable the Yankees just didn't want to hold onto an aging star like him any longer, good as he still appears to be at all aspects of the game.</p>
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https://www.pinstripealley.com/yankees-news/2014/12/20/7425703/yankees-chase-headley-rob-refsnyder-jose-pirelaJack Niemuth2014-12-20T15:00:02-05:002014-12-20T15:00:02-05:00Brian Cashman shakes up the depth chart
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<figcaption>Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Yankees add Nathan Eovaldi, Garrett Jones, Domingo German and Gonzalez Germen; send Martin Prado and David Phelps to Miami.</p> <p>Just when it appeared that the 2015 New York Yankee roster was taking shape, Ninja Cash strikes again. <span>Martin Prado</span> and <span>David Phelps</span> have been sent to the <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Marlins</a> in return for <span>Nathan Eovaldi</span>, Garrett Jones and <span>Domingo German</span>. In a second trade, Brian Cashman acquired <span>Gonzalez Germen</span> from the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Mets</a> for cash considerations.</p>
<p><i>Helpfully we have different spellings for German (the pitching prospect) and Germen (the reliever)</i></p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Yankees</a> are now at the limit of the 40-man roster, with Preson Clairborne already designated for assignment to make room for Germen.</p>
<p>As for the projected 25-man roster, lets take a look at some of the ways these trades have made an impact.</p>
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<div style="background:#0F4871;" class="teamheader">Projected New York Yankee 2015 Depth Chart</div>
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<li class="title">Catcher</li>
<li class="odd"><b>Brian McCann</b></li>
<li class="even">John Ryan Murphy</li>
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<li class="title">First Base</li>
<li class="odd"><b>Mark Teixeira</b></li>
<li class="even">Garrett Jones</li>
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<li class="title">Second Base</li>
<li class="odd"><b>Robert Refsnyder</b></li>
<li class="even">Brendan Ryan</li>
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<li class="title">Third Base</li>
<li class="odd"><b>Chase Headley</b></li>
<li class="even">Alex Rodriguez</li>
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<div id="shortstop">
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<li class="title">Shortstop</li>
<li class="odd"><b>Didi Gregorius</b></li>
<li class="even">Brendan Ryan</li>
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<li class="title">Left Field</li>
<li class="odd"><b>Brett Gardner</b></li>
<li class="even">Chris Young</li>
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<li class="title">Centre Field</li>
<li class="odd"><b>Jacoby Ellsbury</b></li>
<li class="even">Brett Gardner</li>
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<li class="title">Right Field</li>
<li class="odd"><b>Carlos Beltran</b></li>
<li class="even">Chris Young</li>
<li class="odd">Garrett Jones</li>
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<li class="title">Starting Pitcher</li>
<li class="odd"><b>Masahiro Tanaka</b></li>
<li class="even">Michael Pineda</li>
<li class="odd">CC Sabathia</li>
<li class="even">Nathan Eovaldi</li>
<li class="odd">Chris Capuano</li>
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<li class="title">Relief Pitcher</li>
<li class="odd">Esmil Rogers</li>
<li class="even">Adam Warren</li>
<li class="odd">Shawn Kelley</li>
<li class="even">Justin Wilson</li>
<li class="odd">Gonzalez Germen</li>
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<li class="title">Closer</li>
<li class="odd"><b>Dellin Betances</b></li>
<li class="even">Andrew Miller</li>
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<li class="title">Designated Hitter</li>
<li class="odd"><b>Alex Rodriguez</b></li>
<li class="even">Carlos Beltran</li>
<li class="odd">Garrett Jones</li>
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<p>Martin Prado and David Phelps were both near-locks for the 25-man before being traded to the Marlins. Their projected spots are taken by <span>Garrett Jones</span> and Nathan Eovaldi. Eovaldi instantly slots into the starting rotation. This likely ends the prospect of a spring training battle for a rotation spot where previously <span>Adam Warren</span>, <span>Chase Whitley</span> and Bryan Mitchell as key competitors alongside Phelps. Expect Warren to remain in the bullpen where he had success last season, and for Whitley and Mitchell to start the season in AAA.</p>
<p>Garrett Jones has the versatility to cover first base and right field, in addition to providing a left-handed alternative and potential platoon partner for <span>Alex Rodriguez</span> at designated hitter. Jones being able to cover first base in particular is very valuable, finally providing the Yankees with credible depth behind Mark Teixeira. Meanwhile, losing Martin Prado has left the Yankees with no veteran option at second base barring any further additions. <span>Robert Refsnyder</span> is likely to have the inside track to the starting job at second base, though he might be expected to beat out <span>Jose Pirela</span> in spring training for the gig. In either case, there is likely to be only one roster spot available between those two and any other potential veteran competitors the Yankees might bring in. Whoever the starter ends up being expect <span>Brendan Ryan</span> to be the backup second baseman as well as shortstop. Alex Rodriguez is now the primary backup third baseman. Certainly positional depth at the major league level has taken a hit overall with the loss of Prado; a potential consequence is that short-term injuries might be more likely to result in disabled list stays as the Yankees aren't quite as equipped to cover week-long stretches short-handed.</p>
<p>Gonzalez Germen joins a crowded mix in terms of the battle for bullpen spots. <span>Dellin Betances</span>, <span>Andrew Miller</span>, Adam Warren and <span>Shawn Kelley</span> are all likely locked into relief pitching gigs, with <span>Justin Wilson</span> a favourite to be the second lefty reliever in the pen as Miller takes on more of a late inning role. <span>Esmil Rogers</span> is likely the favourite for the role of long man, though perhaps Chase Whitley or <span>Bryan Mitchell</span> could push him for that job. This leaves the Yankees with six of the seven bullpen spots likely accounted for, and Germen will likely have to battle <span>Jose De Paula</span> to be the last major league relief pitcher with the Yankees. As for prospects such as Jacob Lindgren and <span>Jose Ramirez</span>, the likelihood of breaking camp bound for the Bronx, which wasn't necessarily high to begin with, have likely taken a small hit. In the long run though, unless Germen performs far above expectations he shouldn't block an elite prospect like Lindgren for too long.</p>
<p>The most important player in terms of evaluating this trade might not be a player directly involved. Barring a veteran aquisition, Refsnyder has an opportunity to seize the second base job coming out of spring. If he proves ready to perform at the major league level, this trade is much more likely to look like a successful move for Cashman.</p>
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https://www.pinstripealley.com/2014/12/20/7425645/depth-chart-eovaldi-jones-german-germen-prado-phelpsArun Krishnan2014-12-20T09:00:05-05:002014-12-20T09:00:05-05:00Remembering David Phelps and Martin Prado
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<p>A look the two newest former Yankees.</p> <p><span>David Phelps</span>' career as a Yankee was one of the great trade-off in prospect assessment: polish vs. potential. Taken in the 14th round of the 2008 draft out of Notre Dame, Phelps was never really regarded as a top prospect, even within the organization. <i>Baseball America</i> <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/statistics/players/cards/87632">ranked</a> him #25 in 2009, #16 in 2010 and #21 in 2011, even as he posted the <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://m.mlb.com/nyy/video/v20086225/top-prospects-david-phelps-rhp-yankees/?c_id=nyy">best</a> ERA in the <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Yankees</a>' minor league system and knocked on the door to the big leagues.</p>
<p>In the majors, the Yankees never knew quite what to do with him, but Phelps didn't really help to distinguish himself either. Guys with seemingly limitless upside like <span>Phil Hughes</span> got longer leashes, and veterans like <span>Andy Pettitte</span> and <span>Freddy Garcia</span> weren't asked to earn their manager's trust in the same way. In the rotation, <span>Ivan Nova</span> and <span>Michael Pineda</span> surged past on the depth chart. In the bullpen, <span>Dellin Betances</span> and <span>Adam Warren</span> found their velocity played up better. And all of the sudden, the 25-year-old fast riser out of college became a 28-year-old with 300 major league innings under his belt and 1.35 WHIP. That is to say, a prime trade candidate.</p>
<p>David Phelps' best day as a Yankee was probably from his 2012 rookie season. Facing the <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blue Jays</a> in the second game of a September 19th double header, with the Yanks neck-in-neck with the <a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Orioles</a> in the division crown, the Yankees needed every win they can squeeze out of their lineup, and they gave the ball to Phelps. It was his tenth start of the season, though he'd appeared in another twenty games as a reliever. In his previous starts, Joe G. had kept Phelps on a pretty short leash, but that day, he worked his way through the Blue Jays' lineup easily. He got into a little trouble in the second inning, allowing a single run, but he settled down after that.</p>
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<p>Phelps pitched into the seventh, having only allowed that single run, and at one point retiring 12 Blue Jays in a row. The Yankees evened up the score in the bottom of the second on a Cervelli double, and finally an eighth inning RBI from <span>Ichiro </span>handed the Yankees the doubleheader sweep. Hitless relief from <span>Boone Logan</span>, <span>Cody Eppley</span> and <span>Rafael Soriano</span> sealed the win.</p>
<p><span>Martin Prado's</span> Yankee career lasted all of 133 at bats. His versatility helped keep the Yankees' lineup limping forward into the final month of 2014. In only 37 games, he appeared at second base, third base, left field and right field.</p>
<p>Prado's best game was August 22nd at home against the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">White Sox</a>, with the Yankees four games out of the playoffs and only 38 games left to play, every game had become a must-win. Prado slugged a two-run homer off <span>John Danks</span> to cut the White Sox lead to 3-2. A <span>Jacoby Ellsbury</span> double in the fifth would bring home <span>Derek Jeter</span> to tie the score, and the Yanks and Sox would stay locked at three until the bottom of the ninth.</p>
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<p>With two outs and the bases loaded, the Yankees were on the verge of wasting Ichiro's leadoff single. Prado faced <span>Daniel Webb</span> and drove a single into center field for the walk-off win.</p>
<p>Thanks for the memories, gentlemen. Best of luck in Miami.</p>
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https://www.pinstripealley.com/yankees-editorials-opinions-analysis/2014/12/20/7426023/yankees-marlins-trade-david-phelps-martin-prado-retrospectivejscape20002014-12-19T20:00:02-05:002014-12-19T20:00:02-05:00Meet the new Yanks: Eovaldi, Jones, and German
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<figcaption>Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Yankees made a trade with the Marlins today, so who are the new players?</p> <p>Surprise! The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> made an interesting move today, sending <span>Martin Prado</span> and <span>David Phelps</span> to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins</a> for <span>Nathan Eovaldi</span>, <span>Garrett Jones</span>, and prospect <span>Domingo German</span>. It will probably take some time to process the move, as Prado was thought to be a near-lock for the 2015 team, but the players from the Marlins definitely offer some intrigue. So who are the newest Bronx Bombers?</p>
<h4>Nate Eovaldi</h4>
<p>The 24-year-old righthanded starter is probably the biggest factor in this trade. Selected in the 11th round of the 2008 MLB Draft by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>, Eovaldi was sent to the Marlins in the 2012 <span>Hanley Ramirez</span> trade. He's been in the majors for four years now, pitching to a 4.07 ERA (109 ERA-) and a 3.69 FIP (98 FIP-), certainly not bad marks for such a young starter. Last year, he hit career-highs in starts (33) and innings pitched (199 2/3), as it was his first full season as a major leaguer starter. The numbers were up and down, as he ended the year with a 4.37 ERA, 3.37 FIP, and a 1.9 BB/9, numbers that were good enough for 3.0 fWAR but only 0.2 rWAR. He's not a big strikeout guy yet, but the fact that he has good control is, of course, a plus.</p>
<p>FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference disagree on how successful Eovaldi's been to date, as his ERA isn't quite as shiny as his FIP. Perhaps the Marlins' defense is to blame, as they finished in the <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=0&type=1&season=2014&month=0&season1=2014&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0">bottom half</a> of the league last year in defense, so with <span>Chase Headley</span> and <span>Didi Gregorius</span> thrown into the mix, perhaps some improvement is on the horizon. He has struggled with lefty batters in the past (.288/.350/.421 compared to .244/309/.369 against righties), but his 0.62 HR/9 even away from pitcher-friendly Marlins Park gives me hope that we don't need to worry about lefties going yard at Yankee Stadium as much as some might think.</p>
<p>It should also be noted that Eovaldi had a more successful 2013 than 2014, as his ERA was almost a full run lower at 3.39 in 18 starts, though he missed a could months with right shoulder inflammation. There is undoubtedly more potential from Eovaldi than the departing David Phelps, so the Yankees took a step up there. Whether it was worth Prado or not can be debated, but as part of the whole package, it seems like it has a good chance of paying off, and people seem to like Eovaldi's repertoire:</p>
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<p>If there’s anyone that could be Garret Richards, it’s Nate Eovaldi. Both have 96+ mph gas, good sliders, good curves, bad changes.</p>
— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) <a href="https://twitter.com/enosarris/status/546012696660172800">December 19, 2014</a>
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<p>Eovaldi obviously the key guy in the deal for the Yankees: 4th-best average fastball velocity last season <a href="http://t.co/Et0d6KH9ie">http://t.co/Et0d6KH9ie</a></p>
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/546010660342366209">December 19, 2014</a>
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<h4>Garrett Jones</h4>
<p>A former fan favorite on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a>, Jones was originally drafted in 1999 by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>, but he's only 33 years old. He was a late bloomer, as it took him a little bit of time to catch on with a team; he actually made his MLB debut in 2007 with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a>. At age 28 in 2009 though, he arrived in Pittsburgh and hit .293/.272/.567 with 21 homers in 82 games, entrenching himself as the Bucs' first baseman and earning down-ballot Rookie of the Year votes. Aside from a one-year stint as the starting right fielder when the Pirates decided they wanted to try the Lyle Overbay Experience in 2011, he held that position down decently for the Bucs, batting .256/.318/.462 with exactly 100 homers over his five seasons in Pittsburgh (including a career-high 27 in 2012), notching a 113 OPS+ along the way.</p>
<p>After slipping to a .233/.289/.419 triple slash and a 98 OPS+ in 2013 though, the Pirates decided to let him walk, and he signed a two-year, $7.75 million contract with the Marlins. This past year was almost a duplicate of his 2013 campaign, as he hit .246/.309/.411 with 33 doubles and 15 homers but a 98 OPS+. Jones has been pretty durable, never playing under 140 games in a season since his abbreviated rookie season in '09, a quality that I'm sure the Yankees appreciate given Mark Teixeira's recent injury struggles.</p>
<p>Jones's defense is nothing to write home about, but he will likely be Tex's backup at first base. Like Nick Swisher before him, he has the ability to spend some time faking it in right field should <span>Carlos Beltran</span> get hurt. (I imagine Jones and the righty-swinging <span>Chris Young</span> would probably create a platoon.) His lefty bat was probably the most attractive part of his game to the Yankees, as he has some pull power that could play well at Yankee Stadium:</p>
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<p>Me likey RT <a href="https://twitter.com/EderMik">@EderMik</a> Garrett Jones <a href="http://t.co/Qk75OHV5bE">pic.twitter.com/Qk75OHV5bE</a></p>
— Pinstripe Alley (@pinstripealley) <a href="https://twitter.com/pinstripealley/status/546075711136862210">December 19, 2014</a>
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<p>Jones is a complementary piece to this trade, but one who could certainly play a pivotal role on the 2015 squad. We complained a lot last year when the Yankees fell short in acquiring a real backup first baseman for Teixeira. Well, through this trade, the Yankees took care of that for next year, so good on them.</p>
<h4>Domingo German</h4>
<p>Not to be confused with <span>Gonzalez Germen</span>, another pitcher the Yankees <a target="_blank" href="http://t.co/BGkEH9Ig93">acquired today</a>, the 22-year-old is more of a project. Signed by the Marlins for $40,000 out of the Dominican Republic as a 17-year-old in 2009, German played full-season ball for the first time in 2014, making 25 starts for the Low-A Greensboro Grasshoppers of the South Atlantic League (the same league of the Yankees' Low-A Charleston RiverDogs). It's a pitcher-friendly league, but German impressed regardless, putting up a 2.48 ERA, 3.26 FIP, 8.3 K/9, and 1.8 BB/9 in 123 1/3 innings.</p>
<p>Those numbers and the scouting reports impressed the prospect rankers enough to put German <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/majors/2015-miami-marlins-top-10-prospects/">#6</a> on <i>Baseball America</i>'s Top 10 Marlins Prospects, and #8 on MLB.com's Top 10 Marlins Prospects. MLB.com has since shifted him to <a href="http://miami.marlins.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2014/index.jsp?c_id=mia#list=nyy" target="new">#7</a> on the Yankees' Top 10 Prospects, between <span>Rob Refsnyder</span> and Jake Cave. That means that Jim Callis and company believe he is the third-best pitcher in the system behind only Luis Severino and Ian Clarkin--not bad. Here's what they had to say about him:</p>
<blockquote>German's fastball is a power sinker that sits in the 91-94 mph zone. His best secondary offering is his above-average changeup, and he has an advanced feel for the offspeed pitch already. German's slider is a work in progress, thrown at 81-84 mph, but it's still a little too slurvy at the moment. He's generally been a strike-thrower throughout his brief Minor League career.</blockquote>
<p>Over at FanGraphs, Nathaniel Stoltz also did a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/domingo-german-flamethrowing-reliever-or-useful-starter/">useful piece on German</a> which is a must-read if you have any interest in him. Read that for more information on him, and be sure to check out the GIFs! He looks good. Brian Cashman called German a "<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JackCurryYES/status/546049790942138370">lottery ticket</a>," and that he would <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/BrendanKutyNJ/status/546084681226399744">probably</a> begin 2015 with High-A Tampa. German could be the real prize of this deal so keep his name on the mind.</p>
<p>***<br>Although I enjoyed Prado's versatility, I can understand bringing these players into the Bronx. They offer some serious potential and combined, seem to have a good chance to make even more of a difference than Prado and Phelps in the future. Welcome to New York!</p>
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https://www.pinstripealley.com/yankees-rumors-offseason-hot-stove/2014/12/19/7422907/yankees-trade-nate-eovaldi-garrett-jones-domingo-herman-marlins-prado-phelpsAndrew Mearns2014-12-19T18:00:02-05:002014-12-19T18:00:02-05:00How the Prado/Phelps trade affects the roster
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<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Yankees</a> just made a surprise move by trading <span>Martin Prado</span> and <span>David Phelps</span> away to the <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Marlins</a> for <span>Nathan Eovaldi</span>, <span>Garrett Jones</span>, and Domingo German. With useful players coming and going, the trade actually affects the roster in a number of positive and negative ways. It's easy to see all the negatives, but there are also some intriguing positives coming out of this deal as well.</p>
<p>The most glaring thing is the absence of Martin Prado from the roster. The Yankees could have greatly used his versatility to help out at second and third base, as well as in the outfield, but it now means great things for Rob Refsnyder. After months of speculation about when or even if the Yankees will give their second base prospect a chance, they just did the unthinkable–traded a productive veteran to make way for an unproven rookie. While this is certainly great news for Refsnyder, Prado's presence didn't really block him in the first place. If Ref proved to be too productive to stay in Triple-A, they could have moved Prado somewhere else on the field. By getting rid of him, it doesn't just mean they trust their prospect, it means they're going ahead with no viable backup–unless they sign someone like Asdrubal Cabrera now.</p>
<p>Without Prado on the roster, it also means that <span>Chris Young</span> will be the primary backup outfielder on the roster. If something happens to <span>Carlos Beltran</span>, it means that we will being seeing a lot of <span>Chris Young</span>. He looked cool in the limited amount of time we saw him last year, but it seems that a lot of Chris Young is just too much Chris Young. Making him the only thing standing behind Beltran is very risky, unless they truly believe in one of Tyler Austin or Ramon Flores going forward.</p>
<p>Sure, they have Garrett Jones now to also play right field, but he's here to give <span>Mark Teixeira</span> time off. After two years of going into the season without a legitimate backup first baseman, the Yankees have finally had enough. It's clear that they don't trust Teixeira to stay healthy for an entire season because Prado is definitely more useful than Jones, however Jones fills a role that Prado wouldn't be able to and that's what the Yankees wanted. It's unfortunate to see them replace Prado with Jones, but at the same time, it's nice to finally have a backup first baseman that is better than Lyle Overbay.</p>
<p>The idea was briefly floated about, but it looks like <span>Alex Rodriguez</span> as the backup first baseman is just not going to be a thing. They will probably try to keep A-Rod in the DH-role as much as possible, though now that Prado is gone, he will be the primary backup at third base. Less playing time in the field will hopefully help him stay healthy, but if something happens to <span>Chase Headley</span>, A-Rod will be their only option.</p>
<p>Moving Phelps for Eovaldi is a no brainer because, while Phelps was a useful swingman, Eovaldi can fit right into the middle of the rotation. They basically traded their backup starting pitching depth for an actual starting pitcher, so it strengthens their rotation, but also weakens their backend and bullpen. Thankfully, Phelps had one of the most easily replaceable roles in baseball as the swingman out of the pen. The Yankees are likely going to go with Esmil Rogers now and allow <span>Adam Warren</span>, <span>Manny Banuelos</span>, and <span>Bryan Mitchell</span> to compete for the fifth rotation spot in spring training. Maybe at this point they go after <span>Max Scherzer</span> to fill out their rotation, but it's looking more likely that they'll have a rotation of Tanaka/Pineda/CC/Eovaldi/Warren (?) to start the year. We'll see, but pitching is at least starting to fit into place. Let's just hope they're not done at this point.</p>
https://www.pinstripealley.com/2014/12/19/7423309/yankees-trade-prado-phelps-eovaldi-jones-refsnyderJason Cohen2014-12-19T17:00:03-05:002014-12-19T17:00:03-05:00NYY/MIA trade 'arguably reasonable for both sides'
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<figcaption>Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> took everyone by surprise once again when they flipped <span>Martin Prado</span> and <span>David Phelps</span> to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a> for <span>Nathan Eovaldi</span>, <span>Garrett Jones</span>, and Domingo German. Here's how people reacted to the five-player deal.</p>
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<p>I'm mildly annoyed that the Yankees/Marlins trade is arguably reasonable for both sides.</p>
— Dan Szymborski (@DSzymborski) <a href="https://twitter.com/DSzymborski/status/546030307787698178">December 19, 2014</a>
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Certainly not the blockbuster deals that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> have been pulling off as of late. The deal doesn't seem very flashy, but it probably doesn't need to be.</p>
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<p>Garrett Jones is the LH power bat that Yanks love to try this time of year. Hit on some like Ibanez/Chavez, miss on some like Hafner.</p>
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) <a href="https://twitter.com/YankeesWFAN/status/546028600533987328">December 19, 2014</a>
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Bring us the dingers.</p>
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<p>Yankees foresee potential replacements for Teixeira (Bird) and Beltran (Judge) within 2 years. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YouthMovementHereWeCome?src=hash">#YouthMovementHereWeCome</a></p>
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) <a href="https://twitter.com/YankeesWFAN/status/546028050266480640">December 19, 2014</a>
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This is what I like to hear. Can you even imagine the potential if it all goes right? Very exciting stuff.</p>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Yankees?src=hash">#Yankees</a> trade, of course, affects <span>Alex Rodriguez</span>: Is Garrett Jones the lefty-swinging part of DH platoon w/ A-Rod?</p>
— Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrendanKutyNJ/status/546028036509159424">December 19, 2014</a>
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If the Yankees can't get rid of Alex Rodriguez, they can at least make him as much of a non-factor as possible.</p>
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<p>Wouldn't be shocked if <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Yankees?src=hash">#Yankees</a> go after <span>Asdrubal Cabrera</span> as 2B and as SS insurance. Ref + Didi = extremely young middle infield.</p>
— Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrendanKutyNJ/status/546024356368117762">December 19, 2014</a>
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No, stop, don't. The ability to give Rob Refsnyder a real shot is probably the thing I like best about this trade. Don't go ruining it with Asdrubal Cabrera.</p>
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<p>Not sure about this deal, but it looks like Refsnyder and Pirela will get a chance at second. That should be fun.</p>
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewMarchand/status/546023662873485312">December 19, 2014</a>
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Yay prospects.</p>
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<p>I like this deal a bit: Opens a spot for Refsnyder, gets a cromulent Tex insurance policy, adds a quality prospect.</p>
— Josh Norris (@jnorris427) <a href="https://twitter.com/jnorris427/status/546018955052085248">December 19, 2014</a>
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This makes sense. The Yankees don't want <span>Chase Headley</span> having to play first base for any extended period of time because that would mean A-Rod is playing third base for an extended period of time. Jones helps with that.</p>
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<p>Yanks high on eovaldi and German. Plan to try refsnyder at 2B (pirela another option). G Jones is $ offset/backup</p>
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/status/546018544501415936">December 19, 2014</a>
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Let the Rob Refsnyder Experience Experiment begin!</p>
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<p>If Jones is on the Yankees bench with Murphy, Young and Ryan, then Ryan backs up 2B/SS and A-Rod backs up 3B?</p>
— Lohud Yankees Blog (@LoHudYankees) <a href="https://twitter.com/LoHudYankees/status/546017524480229376">December 19, 2014</a>
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That's...not a very impressive bench. The Brendan Ryan deal continues to look kind of annoying.</p>
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<p>Garrett Jones was late bloomer who didn't become major league regular until he was 29. Has 115 HRs in last 6 yrs. Yanks hope RF porch helps.</p>
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) <a href="https://twitter.com/JackCurryYES/status/546015797379092480">December 19, 2014</a>
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Dingers! Dingers! Dingers!</p>
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<p>Cashman's goal was to get durable starter(s). Eovaldi is 24 and logged 200 IPs last year, something Phelps hasn't done. Much better arm.</p>
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) <a href="https://twitter.com/JackCurryYES/status/546015587227676672">December 19, 2014</a>
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Moving from Phelps to Eovaldi is a clear upgrade, especially if Phelps was going to end up as one of the five starters. Eovaldi was worth three wins last season.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Agree with colleague <a href="https://twitter.com/KenDavidoff">@KenDavidoff</a> about <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Yankees?src=hash">#Yankees</a> now perhaps pursuing Asdrubal Cabrera for 2b, SS insurance. NYY asked about (cont)</p>
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) <a href="https://twitter.com/Joelsherman1/status/546015009630072834">December 19, 2014</a>
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<p>Cabrera often when he as with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Indians?src=hash">#Indians</a>. He is SH, which they love to add to Beltran, Headley, Teix.</p>
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) <a href="https://twitter.com/Joelsherman1/status/546015164408274944">December 19, 2014</a>
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Let's just not do that, okay? Okay.</p>
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https://www.pinstripealley.com/2014/12/19/7423415/yankees-trade-marlins-nathan-eovaldi-martin-prado-david-phelps-garrett-jonesTanyaAnderson2014-12-19T16:00:03-05:002014-12-19T16:00:03-05:00What's your opinion of the Yankees-Marlins trade?
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<p>The Yankees traded Martin Prado and David Phelps for Nathan Eovaldi and Garrett Jones. It's time for you to have your say and tell us what you think of the trade.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Yankees</a> have made <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pinstripealley.com/2014/12/19/7422871/yankees-rumors-martin-prado-david-phelps-marlins-nathan-eovaldi-garrett-jones">another move</a>, trading <span>Martin Prado</span> and <span>David Phelps</span> for <span>Nathan Eovaldi</span>, <span>Garrett Jones</span> and pitching prospect Domingo German. Now it's time to find out what you think of the move.</p>
<p>Eovaldi is 24, 25 by the time the season starts. In 460 career innings over four seasons, he has a career 4.07 ERA with a 3.70 FIP. He spent the last two and a bit seasons with the <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Marlins</a> after being part of the <span>Hanley Ramirez</span> trade in 2012. Last season, he pitched just under 200 innings with a 4.37 ERA, but a 3.37 FIP.</p>
<p>Jones is a first baseman who hit .246/.309/.411 last season with the Marlins, which was good for a 97 wRC+. So he was about league average with the bat. As for his defense, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=2714&position=1B/OF">Fangraphs </a>has him as a negative defender for his career. Backing up <span>Mark Teixeira</span> was something the Yankees struggled with last season. Jones isn't a world beater, but would certainly be better equipped than <span>Kelly Johnson</span> and the like should Tex go down again in 2015.</p>
<p>And as for what the Yankees gave up. Martin Prado had a successful stint with the Yankees after being traded by the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Diamondbacks</a> at the deadline. He hit .316/.336/.541 for the Yankees while playing a number of positions in the field. He was signed through 2016 as part of the four-year, $40 million deal he signed with the Diamondbacks. His versatility in the field certainly looked to be a major plus for the Yankees headed in to 2015.</p>
<p>David Phelps has been solid but unspectacular since making his debut in 2012. He's pitched to a 4.20 ERA and a 4.21 FIP in stints in both the rotation and the bullpen.</p>
<p>As far as the young, cost-controlled arms go, the Yankees got the better one out of this deal. The question is, when you add in Prado and Jones, is the deal worth it for the Yankees? For all those that wanted the Yankees to get younger, this certainly helps. They got a 24-year old, cost-controlled player at a position they needed the most. And this also most likely opens up second base for one of Rob Refsnyder or <span>Jose Pirela</span>, which gets the Yankees younger at that spot too. But was it worth it to give up the bat and versatility of Prado? Well it's time to answer that. Vote in the poll below and have your say in the comments.</p>
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https://www.pinstripealley.com/2014/12/19/7423041/yankees-marlins-trade-prado-phelps-eovaldi-jones-domingo-germanMatt Ferenchick