GARCIA GOES TO GOTHAM FOR TWO PITCHERS
The New York Yankees acquired pitcher Jaime Garcia from the Minnesota Twins for pitchers Zack Littell and Dietrich Enns.
What does it give the New York Yankees
After giving its bullpen a huge boost with an earlier trade, now New York focuses on the starting rotation. Garcia is a quality lefty veteran starter, so he can shore up the bottom of the rotation on the heels of Michael Pineda's recent Tommy John surgery. There is still copious speculation about whether the Yankees will acquire Sonny Gray from Oakland, but Garcia can help the rotation regardless. If Garcia does not pan out, his contract can come off the books following this season.
What does it give the Minnesota Twins
Neither of Littell (a 21-year-old righty) nor Enns (a 26-year-old lefty) is a top prospect, but both are enjoying excellent results this season in the minors. Littell sports a fantastic 14-1 record and a 1.87 ERA over 20 appearances (incuding 18 starts) in mostly the lower minors, while Enns has posted a 1.99 ERA spanning eight contests (7 starts) in mostly the upper minors. If either of the duo continues to put up similar numbers further up the ladder, this could become a steal for Minnesota.
Fantasy impact
Obviously Garcia gets a nice fantasy upgrade with the arrival in New York, since his new squad can score him plenty of runs. His addition likely hurts the fantasy prospects of young Yankees starting pitcher candidates Jordan Montgomery, Caleb Smith, Luis Cessa and Bryan Mitchell. Montgomery will probably stay in the rotation, but he too might be bumped out of that picture if another vet starter is added after Garcia (Sonny Gray?). On the Twins' side of the swap, Kyle Gibson might get another shot at the rotation now that Garcia is gone (but do not expect fantasy-worthy numbers from the struggling Gibson).
