Earlier today the Yankees announced they have traded right-hander Johnny Barbato to the Pirates for cash or a player to be named later. I’d bet on cash. Barbato was designated for assignment last week to clear a 40-man roster spot for Jordan Montgomery. Does this count as the annual Yanks-Pirates trade?
Barbato, 24, came over from the Padres in the Shawn Kelley trade back during the 2014-15 offseason. He made the Opening Day roster last season and threw 13 mostly ineffective relief innings (7.62 ERA and 4.45 FIP). The Yankees planned to try Barbato, a career reliever, as a starter this season, but they needed the 40-man space.
Even with Barbato gone and Dietrich Enns (shoulder) on the minor league disabled list, the Yankees still have Luis Cessa, Chad Green, Chasen Shreve, Ben Heller, and Gio Gallegos sitting in Triple-A and on the 40-man roster. There’s no shortage of shuttle arms right now.
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