NEW YORK - Jaime Garcia is joining the Yankees from the Minnesota Twins. Will Sonny Gray be the next addition to New York's rotation before today's trade deadline?
"That would be pretty nice, too," Todd Frazier said before Sunday's 5-3 loss to Tampa Bay, which stopped New York's six-game winning streak. "I remember facing him. He's pretty nasty."
New York sent minor league pitchers Zack Littell and Dietrich Enns to the Twins for Garcia, a 31-year-old left-hander who went 4-7 with a 4.30 ERA in 18 starts for Atlanta. He was dealt to Minnesota last Monday and won his only start for the Twins, giving up three runs and eight hits in 62/3 innings at Oakland on Friday.
Garcia took a red-eye flight Saturday night from California to Atlanta to get some of his belongings. He is to make his Yankees debut Thursday at Cleveland.
"It's what we need. It's an awesome add for this team. I've heard only good things about him as a clubhouse guy and I'm excited," Aaron Judge said.
Gray is 4-2 with a 1.37 ERA in his last six starts. He makes $3,575,000, is not eligible for free agency until after the 2019 season and would slot into the middle of a rotation that includes Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanana and CC Sabathia.
Garcia takes the No. 5 slot in the rotation filled since the All-Star break by Caleb Smith and Bryan Mitchell. Michael Pineda's elbow injury, which required Tommy John surgery, caused the Yankees to search for more starting pitching.
Garcia pitched for St. Louis from 2008-16 and was dealt to the Braves last December. He started Games 2 and 6 against Texas in the 2011 World Series.
"I think we're looking at the experience factor," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "It's someone that's pitched in some big games before."
New York will in effect pay only $184,180 in salary to Garcia - a prorated share of the $535,000 minimum.
Atlanta agreed to pay the Twins cash to cover most of the remainder of his $12 million salary, and Minnesota in turn will pass the cash on to the Yankees. He is eligible for free agency after the World Series.