In a shocking move, the New York Yankees have traded Adam Ottavino to the Boston Red Sox. This MLB breaking news is especially surprising considering that the historic rivals have not completed a trade since a 2014 deal involving Stephen Drew and Kelly Johnson. With Boston not sending any meaningful players back to New York, this trade serves primarily as a salary dump for the Yankees. The Red Sox are essentially buying Ottavino and a longshot prospect for nine million dollars, and the Yankees now have around $11 million to spend on other free agents.
MLB Breaking News: What This Means for Boston
This trade comes as part of a series of moves for the Red Sox over the past week, including the signings of Kiké Hernandez and Garrett Richards. After acquiring a utility man and another starting pitcher, the bullpen remained a huge need for Boston, which this trade helps tremendously. With Matt Barnes likely filling the closer role for the Red Sox, Ottavino will slot in as the eight-inning man, allowing arms like Ryan Brasier, Darwinzon Hernandez, and Phillips Valdez a lightened load.
It will still be difficult for Boston to compete in a loaded AL East. The Rays are the defending American League Champions. In recent MLB breaking news, the Yankees added Jameson Taillon to go along with newly acquired Corey Kluber. As for the Blue Jays, the recent signing of George Springer places them in contention as well. However, trading for Ottavino is definitely a step in the right direction for the Red Sox and gives the team an instant improvement.
Boston now has to make a few more moves before the start of the season. With just about five million available to stay under the luxury tax, it will be difficult to sign more expensive free agents like Jackie Bradley Jr. without any more trades first. Additionally, the Red Sox need to free up three more roster spots to have space for the new acquisitions. One of these moves is likely to be the MLB breaking news of a resolution between the team and Sox legend Dustin Pedroia, who is expected to retire this offseason.
MLB Breaking News: What This Means for New York
Before this trade, the Yankees were in a tough situation with only about two million to spend. Now, they have almost $11 million which will likely be used to resign Brett Gardner and bullpen free agents to replace Ottavino. This MLB breaking news makes some sense for New York, but the big question is why the Yankees chose to trade Ottavino to Boston. One would assume that they would want to move Ottavino out of the division, as opposed to trading him to their bitter rival.
For Yankees fans, this gives new life to an eventful New York offseason that seemed over after a series of huge moves. DJ LeMahieu has been re-signed. Corey Kluber has been added to the pitching staff. Jameson Taillon made his way to New York in a trade with the Pirates. Now, the Yankees can be involved in new MLB breaking news with freed up money. Still, there is something off-putting about a salary dump involving a valuable reliever with the Boston Red Sox. With a few months until Spring Training, the Yankees are situated to make more moves, while the Red Sox have gained a much-needed bullpen arm.
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