The New York Yankees have made the first move of the Baseball Winter Meetings. Tuesday morning, Joel Sherman reported that the Yanks agreed to a trade that will send Chase Headley and Bryan Mitchell to the San Diego Padres. As reported by Ken Rosenthal, the Yankees will receive the best name in the MLB in return: Jabari Blash. Headley, who was acquired from the Padres back in 2014, returns to the team who drafted him back in 2005. After a successful 2014 with the Yankees (.262/.371/.398, 17 RBIs, 58 games), the club re-signed the free agent to a four-year/$52 million deal. That deal runs out at the end of the 2018 season.
As for the other two players in the deal, Bryan Mitchell and Jabari Blash seem to be components of a deal with greater implications. Mitchell leaves New York after a disappointing time as a player for the organization. Always flirting with a starting spot in the rotation, Mitchell exits the Bronx with a career MLB ERA of 4.94. Injuries plagued Mitchell’s time with the Bronx Bombers, with luck not being on his side. In 2015, Mitchell was injured after a line drive off the bat of Eduardo Nunez hit the young pitcher in the face. In 2016, Mitchell wore a ball off of his foot late in Spring Training when he was pitching his way into the rotation. Meanwhile, Jabari Blash has played a total of 99 games in two seasons with San Diego. In those 99 games, Blash has batted .213/.333/.341 with eight home runs and 100 strikeouts.
Getting Chase Headley Off the Books
For the Yankees, the sole purpose of this trade is to free up for space between their current payroll and the luxury tax threshold. Despite acquiring the $295 million (paying $265) Giancarlo Stanton, Brian Cashman is still adamant about getting the team’s payroll under the $197 million mark in 2018. This is to prepare for the upcoming free agent class after this season. Even though the Yankees have never been under the luxury tax threshold, it seems that the team will make it under there before the start of the 2018 season. Before the trade, the Yankees had a little under $20 million left before hitting the threshold.
The acquisition of Jabari Blash is inconsequential. Despite being the only player that the Yankees are receiving in the trade, it is unlikely that Blash will even make the 40-man roster. With Blash likely in the minors, the Yankees essentially dumped Chase Headley’s salary off on the Padres. Bryan Mitchell was likely added to the deal to ensure that the Padres would take on Headley’s contract.
Remembering Chase Headley
To be honest, I have not been the biggest Chase Headley fan during his tenure with the Bronx Bombers. While not a bad player in pinstripes (.262/.339/.387 with 43 home runs, 191 RBIs, and 7.7 WAR), Headley always seemed average at best. Even when he was with the Padres, he only had one breakout season (2012). He was a solid hand to play at third base, but that was it. Almost every season in pinstripes, Chase Headley would have a month or two of terrible hitting. Last season, it was May, where he batted a miserable .165.
Chase Headley was a great acquisition back in 2014. That season, Brian Cashman was on point in acquiring underrated players for a team that was injury ridden. For those who forgot, 2014 was the season Lyle Overbay, Vernon Wells, and Travis Hafner were all starting at the beginning of the season. However, after re-signing with the Yankees before the 2015 season, Headley never felt like he fit with the club. It did not help that Headley was constantly in the rumor mill for being a potential trade candidate to unload his salary. 2017 was the year for that.
A Return of Todd Frazier?
I have written an article about how the Yankees should re-sign Todd Frazier to the club. I will not break down the ins-and-outs of the benefits of signing the Toddfather. However, with the trade of Headley (and Starlin Castro), that leaves two open spots on the Yankees’ infield at the moment. Despite Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar being potentially MLB ready, it would be hard to envision the team who traded for the NL MVP would bank on two rookies to be in their starting lineup. Sure, there is also Ronald Torreyes and Tyler Wade who could also fill in those roles, but both of those players are more so utility players.
After this move (and the added salary space), it only makes more sense to sign Todd Frazier. He was a spark plug for the team, loved by the fans, and brings veteran guidance to a young team. Plus, his desire to be a Yankee might help bring his price tag down. With a team that still needs to add another starter, a “hometown” discount would be exactly what the Yankees could be looking for (if Frazier is willing). With Headley’s contract gone, the Yankees are now perfectly able to sign two players for deals that range between $10-13 million. I think Frazier would sign for that.
Yankees Not Done Making Trades
With two trades done, surely Brian Cashman is done wheeling and dealing? Right? Probably not. As mentioned above, the Yankees still need a starting pitcher for their rotation. Also, the Yankees have a surplus in the outfield. Cashman is surely still working the phones and the other general managers. He has checked in on Gerrit Cole, Manny Machado, Patrick Corbin, and Michael Fulmer. Out of those four, the trade that would be the easiest to foresee happening would be a deal for Corbin. It is reported that the Pirates are not too willing to trade away Cole, but they are willing to listen. While the Orioles are now listening on offers for Machado, they are not expected to trade him either.
Despite talking with teams who seem stubborn on trading certain players, remember that the Yankees still have a very deep organization filled with prospects. One prospect, in particular, is now looking less valuable to the Yankees as well: Clint Frazier. Surely, there is a strong desire to move the contract of Jacoby Ellsbury. However, his no-trade clause will likely prevent that from happening. That is why Chase Headley was always considered the easier player to move. In my opinion, Frazier should be traded. With Stanton, Judge, and Hicks all under 30 (plus Ellsbury under contract), there is no room for the young outfielder. If the Yankees are serious about going after Cole, Fulmer, or Machado, Frazier would be a good starting point for the trade negotiations.
This offseason will be fun for Yankee fans. Brian Cashman is somehow managing to be all-in while saving money. If he can pull it off, that will be incredible. It looks like the Yankees will be the big winners this MLB offseason.
Former Division 1 pitcher at Stetson University with an immense passion for the game of baseball. Grew up playing baseball from the age of 3. Student of the game of baseball in every aspect.Located out of Debary, Florida.
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