Yankees Trade Proposal Brings Back Left-Hander With 3.24 ERA

Getty

Aaron Boone looks on before a game against the Mariners.

The New York Yankees are expected to be active at the trade deadline, looking to get back to the World Series after falling short against the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games a season ago. The Yankees have multiple needs, but Brian Cashman has already noted that the team is interested in adding another arm or two. For a Yankees organization that wants to win a World Series, they understand it all starts on the bump. The Yankees’ pitching is decent, but it has performed better than most expected.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Yankees’ staff eventually struggle some.

In a proposed trade idea from Zach Pressnell, the Yankees would reunite with a former starter in the form of Andrew Heaney of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Heaney was brutal with the Yankees during his half a season during the 2021 campaign, posting a 7.32 ERA and 1.35 WHIP, but he’s been very good since his departure, posting a 3.24 ERA for the Pirates this year.

“The Yankees could look to target Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Andrew Heaney this season. The lefty has been excellent for Pittsburgh this season, but the team is so far from contending at this point in time, a trade would make perfect sense.

“Heaney holds a 1.6 WAR and 3.24 ERA in 13 starts and 72 1/3 innings this season. He’s consistently putting together quality starts, which is going to make him a coveted name at the trade deadline,” he wrote .

Pirates Predicted To Be Sellers at the Trade Deadline

The expectation surrounding Major League Baseball is that the Pittsburgh Pirates will sell at the deadline.

With where the team currently stands as an organization, the New York Yankees could benefit from them moving on from some of their top players. While the Pirates aren’t necessarily loaded with multiple pieces the Yankees would love, Heaney could be someone who might be able to be had for a decent price.

If that’s a possibility, there’s reason to believe the Yankees could look at a reunion as a decent option.

“The Pirates have plenty of trade candidates (there are only a few players they won’t listen on, like Paul Skenes), but most of their intriguing trade chips come with multiple years of control, so they don’t have to deal them. Heaney is on an expiring deal, so it would make sense to deal him if the Bucs aren’t in the playoff picture. The southpaw has posted a 3.24 ERA in 13 starts and has playoff experience, making him a perfect addition to the middle of a rotation,” Alex Stumpf of MLB.com wrote.

What Will the Yankees Have to Give up for Heaney?

One issue the New York Yankees could face is that starting pitching at recent trade deadlines has been expensive. While Heaney isn’t an ace by any means, and he’s throwing the baseball better than ever, which is a bit concerning, the Pirates understand that teams around the league will be desperate.

If the Yankees are one of those teams, it might require them to trade one of their top prospects. According to Kristie Ackert of Athlon Sports, it’s possible that Spencer Jones, one of the Yankees’ former top prospects, could be dealt.

“The 6-foot-7 former first-rounder remains a riddle. He’s flashed power and athleticism, but he’s hitting around .220 at Double-A with a strikeout rate near 45 percent. Scouts still believe, but if the Yankees need rotation help this summer, he’s a name to watch in trade rumors,” she wrote .

It remains uncertain if the Yankees would have to move him in a deal like this, but it wouldn’t be the most surprising thing after seeing some prices in recent years.

Jon Conahan covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. Since 2019, his sports coverage has appeared at Sports Illustrated, oddschecker, ClutchPoints and Sportskeeda. More about Jon Conahan