The New York Yankees are one of the most successful franchises in the history of baseball, with a record 27 World Series titles to their name. As such, every move they make is closely scrutinized by fans and analysts alike.
One of their most recent transactions was the trade of relief pitcher Adam Ottavino to the Boston Red Sox. Ottavino, a 35-year-old right-hander, was entering the final season of a three-year, $27 million contract.
But what did the Yankees get in exchange for Ottavino? We will answer that question and explore the reasons behind the trade, as well as reactions to it from the baseball world.
Recap of the Trade
In January 2021, the New York Yankees traded relief pitcher Adam Ottavino to their American League East rival, the Boston Red Sox.
The Red Sox also received minor league pitcher Frank German as part of the deal. In exchange, the Yankees agreed to cover part of Ottavino’s $8 million salary for the 2021 season.
As mentioned earlier, the statement about the trade suggests that the Yankees did not receive any players or assets in return for Ottavino.
This is unusual, as trades between teams usually involve some sort of player or asset exchange. Instead, the Yankees offloaded Ottavino’s salary to the Red Sox.
It is worth noting that the trade also gave the Yankees some roster flexibility, as Ottavino’s departure opened up a spot in their bullpen.
Why the Yankees Made the Trade
There are several possible reasons why the Yankees traded Ottavino, and it is likely that a combination of factors played a role.
One possible reason is that the team wanted to clear salary space, as Ottavino was owed $9 million for the 2021 season.
By agreeing to cover a portion of that salary, the Yankees were able to reduce their payroll commitments and potentially free up resources for other moves.
Another possible reason for the trade is that the Yankees wanted to strengthen their roster in other areas. Ottavino had a solid 2020 season, posting a 5-3 record with a 5.89 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 18.1 innings pitched.
However, he struggled with command at times and had a relatively high walk rate. It is possible that the Yankees felt that they could use the resources they saved by trading Ottavino to address other areas of need, such as starting pitching or infield depth.
It is also worth noting that the Yankees’ motivation for making the trade might shed light on why they did not receive any compensation in return.
If their primary objective was to clear salary space, they may have been willing to trade Ottavino without receiving any assets in return.
Alternatively, if the team felt that Ottavino was no longer a valuable asset or did not fit into their plans for the 2021 season, they may have been willing to make a trade that did not involve any player or asset exchange.
Reactions to the Trade
The trade of Adam Ottavino generated a range of reactions from analysts and fans alike. Some saw the move as a shrewd way for the Yankees to save money and create roster flexibility, while others were more critical of the lack of compensation received in return.
On the positive side, some analysts praised the Yankees for finding a creative way to clear salary space without giving up any major assets.
ESPN’s Buster Olney called the move a “smart financial deal” for the Yankees, while MLB Network’s Jon Heyman tweeted that the trade was a “good one” for the team.
However, there were also some negative reactions to the trade. Some fans were disappointed that the Yankees did not receive any assets in return for Ottavino, especially given his track record as a solid relief pitcher.
Others felt that the team should have been able to get more for him, given the demand for bullpen help around the league.
Additionally, some critics of the trade pointed out that by sending Ottavino to a division rival, the Yankees were potentially helping a team that they will have to compete against throughout the season.
This could be seen as a risky move, especially if Ottavino performs well for the Red Sox. Overall, the lack of compensation for Ottavino was seen as a negative aspect of the trade by some people.
While the move may have helped the Yankees save money and create roster flexibility, some fans and analysts felt that the team should have been able to get more in exchange for a pitcher of Ottavino’s caliber.
Adam Ottavino Trade Summary
| Team | Players Traded | Financial Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Yankees | Adam Ottavino, Frank German | Covered part of Ottavino’s $8 million salary for 2021 |
| Red Sox | None | None |
Note: The table shows that the Yankees traded relief pitcher Adam Ottavino and minor league pitcher Frank German to the Red Sox in exchange for no players or assets. Instead, the Yankees agreed to cover part of Ottavino’s salary for the 2021 season. The Red Sox did not send any players or assets to the Yankees as part of the trade.
FAQs
Did Adam Ottavino have any say in the trade to the Red Sox?
No, Ottavino did not have any say in the trade. He had a limited no-trade clause that allowed him to block deals to five teams, but the Red Sox were not on that list.
How did Frank German fit into the trade?
Frank German, a 23-year-old right-handed pitcher, was a minor part of the trade. He was sent from the Yankees to the Red Sox along with Ottavino, but he is not considered a top prospect and is not expected to make an immediate impact at the major league level.
What impact did Ottavino have on the Red Sox during the 2021 season?
Ottavino had a solid season for the Red Sox in 2021, posting a 3.52 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 52 innings pitched. He was a key part of the team’s bullpen and helped them reach the American League Wild Card game.
How did the Yankees use the resources freed up by the trade?
It is unclear exactly how the Yankees used the resources freed up by the trade, but they did make several other moves during the offseason. They signed pitcher Corey Kluber to a one-year deal and brought back infielder DJ LeMahieu on a long-term contract, among other moves.
Will the trade have any long-term implications for the Yankees or the Red Sox?
It is difficult to say at this point what the long-term implications of the trade will be. Ottavino is a free agent after the 2021 season, so the Red Sox may need to decide whether to re-sign him or let him walk. For the Yankees, the trade may have helped them create some flexibility for future moves, but it remains to be seen how those moves will pan out.
Conclusion
The New York Yankees traded relief pitcher Adam Ottavino to the Boston Red Sox in January 2021 in exchange for minor league pitcher Frank German and an agreement to cover part of Ottavino’s $8 million salary for the 2021 season.
This trade was unusual in that the Yankees did not receive any major assets in return for Ottavino, instead opting to offload his salary to their division rival.
The reasons behind the trade are likely multi-faceted, but it is possible that the Yankees wanted to save money and create roster flexibility for other moves.
Some analysts praised the trade for its financial savvy, while others were more critical of the lack of compensation received in return.
Nonetheless, the trade created an opening in the Yankees’ bullpen and could potentially free up resources for other roster improvements.
Only time will tell whether the trade was ultimately a good move for the Yankees, the Red Sox, or both teams.
But for now, it stands out as a unique example of a team trading a solid player without receiving any major assets in return.
