In a minor trade, the Yankees have acquired utility man Tim Locastro from the Dodgers for minor league righty Drew Finley and cash considerations, the team announced. Los Angeles designated Locastro for assignment yesterday as part of their Rule 5 Draft protection deadline 40-man roster cleanup. The Yankees now have a full 40-man roster.
Locastro, 26, is a native New Yorker from Auburn. The former 13th round pick hit .279/.389/.409 (118 wRC+) with four homers, 18 steals, 14.6% strikeouts, and 7.4% walks in 83 Triple-A games this season. The right-handed hitter has a knack for getting hit by pitches. He averages — averages — 39 hit-by-pitches per 150 games in his career. Huh.
After starting his pro career as a middle infielder, Locastro is now a true utility guy with experience at every position except third base, right field, pitcher, and catcher. Supposedly he’s better in the outfield than on the infield. Locastro’s best tool is his speed. The dude can really run. He’s gone 2-for-12 (.167) in 21 career big league games.
The Yankees are currently stockpiling utility types with Didi Gregorius expected to miss the start of next year. They claimed Hanser Alberto off waivers and re-signed Gio Urshela. And don’t forget Tyler Wade and Ronald Torreyes. Now they’ve added Locastro, who has two minor league options remaining and figures to be an up-and-down guy.
Finley, 22, was the Yankees’ third round pick in 2015. He’s been dogged by injuries throughout his career and has a 5.47 ERA (5.37 FIP) in 120 minor league innings, all in short season leagues. Finley’s father David is the Dodgers vice president of international and amateur scouting. I imagine he had some input into the trade.