Yankees Deal A Pair Of Relievers To Cardinals For International Signing Space

After their doubleheader concluded on July 28, the Yankees announced a trade of two relievers—righthander Giovanny Gallegos and lefthander Chasen Shreve—to the Cardinals for a minor league first baseman and international signing dollars. The first baseman, 27-year-old Luke Voit, should provide minor league depth.

The international money will likely be put toward completing the signing of Cuban righthander Osiel Rodriguez, who has agreed to sign with the Yankees but has not done so formally. Depending on the amount, that money could also go toward signing Cuban shortstop Carlos Verdecia, to whom the Yankees have also been connected. 

Gallegos is headed to Triple-A Memphis, while Shreve will give the Cardinals a third lefthander on their staff to go with Austin Gomber and Tyler Webb as the team fights for down the stretch for a playoff spot.

CARDINALS ACQUIRE:

Giovanny Gallegos, RHP
Age: 26

Originally signed out of Mexico in 2011, Gallegos slowly worked his way up the Yankees’ minor league ladder until he made his major league debut last May. He’s worked primarily in low-leverage situations since then, thanks in part to a New York bullpen filled with pitchers who are more experienced and pitch with more explosive arsenals. He pitches primarily with a four-seam, 92-95 mph fastball and couples it with a mid-80s slider and a seldom-used, mid-80s changeup.

Chasen Shreve, LHP
Age: 28

The Yankees acquired Shreve and righthander David Carpenter from the Braves four years ago in exchange for former top prospect Manny Banuelos, whose career had been slowed by a series of elbow injuries. Shreve bounced back and forth from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to New York, and this year had carved out a role as the second lefthander in a bullpen full of primarily power righties, save for lefty closer Aroldis Chapman. Although he had not been particularly effective this season, he still provided the potential to matchup against lefties late in games or pitch mop-up duty. With Zach Britton added from the Orioles, his role was further diminished in New York.

YANKEES ACQUIRE:

Luke Voit, 1B
Age: 27

Voit, a former catcher who attended Southern Missouri, was greeted with a standing ovation when he made his major league debut last season. He provided the Cardinals with a little bit of thump off the bench, though he proved himself to be vulnerable to offspeed pitches. He’s likely to head to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he will pair with Tyler Austin as insurance for Greg Bird, who has been extremely injury-prone during his young career.