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Fantasy Baseball 2018: Yankees Trade for J.A. Happ

By Neil Ragavan

TORONTO, ON - JULY 22: J.A. Happ #33 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch in the first inning during MLB game action against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre on July 22, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JULY 22: J.A. Happ #33 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch in the first inning during MLB game action against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre on July 22, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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After adding Zach Britton to their already dominant bullpen, the New York Yankees have upgraded their rotation by acquiring J.A. Happ. Will he help the Yankees catch Boston?

The Yankees announced on Thursday that they acquired starting pitcher J.A. Happ from the Toronto Blue Jays for infielder Brandon Drury and minor league outfielder Billy McKinney. This was the type of move the Yankees were expected to make, as they have not gotten much consistency from a few of their starters.

Happ has a 10-6 record with a 4.18 ERA through 20 starts. He has had somewhat of an up and down season. His ERA has fluctuated month to month, and he has had a terrible July, posting an 0-3 record with a 7.41 ERA through four starts. However, he is coming off a solid start against Baltimore, in which he went five innings, striking out nine, and giving up only one earned run. Another positive for the Yankees is that in two starts, Happ has pitched well against the Red Sox; he has an 0.84 ERA, has only given up one earned run, and has struck out 16 hitters through 10.2 innings. In his career, Happ is 7-4 with a 2.98 ERA against Boston. With the Yankees currently 5.5 back of Boston in the division, Happ should really help the them get back in the race.

In regards to Toronto, they got back a good haul. Brandon Drury, whom the Yankees acquired in the offseason, not only was not playing well, but didn’t get much playing time due to the emergence of rookie Miguel Andujar. He should get more consistent time with the Blue Jays, and he is also controllable for the next three years, so he gives Toronto long-term depth.

McKinney was originally acquired by the Yankees from the Chicago Cubs in the Aroldis Chapman trade. The 23 year-old has hit .230 with 13 homers, and 35 RBIs through 62 games between Single A, Double A, Triple A, and two games in the majors. In his minor league career, McKinney has hit .272 with 54 homers, 302 RBIs, and has a .350 OBP. McKinney was number 20 on the Yankees latest prospect list, according to MLB Pipeline:

He is now number 18 on the Blue Jays prospect list, and joins one of the better farm systems in baseball. Look for him to possibly become part of the Blue Jays’ future, along with likes of Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette.

Next. Fantasy Impact of the Zach Britton trade. dark

Both teams did well in this trade. In a weak starting pitching market, the Yankees got possibly the best option in Happ. He is a seasoned veteran, and gives the Yankees stability in their rotation. The Blue Jays get two young, controllable players in Drury and McKinney, and can continue to re-shape their roster to compete in the future.

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