The New York Yankees have made a significant move by acquiring utilityman Amed Rosario from the Washington Nationals. The trade, announced on Saturday night, involves the Yankees sending two minor league players to Washington in exchange for Rosario, a versatile right-handed hitter that New York has been eyeing since before Thursday's trade deadline.
Amed Rosario, previously a highly regarded prospect with the New York Mets, is having a solid season. He is currently batting .270, with five home runs and an OPS of .736. Notably, Rosario has excelled against left-handed pitchers, boasting a .299 batting average and an impressive .816 OPS. This performance aligns with the Yankees' strategy, as they plan to utilize Rosario primarily as a lefty specialist.
Defensively, Rosario provides manager Aaron Boone with a versatile option. This season alone, he has started 20 games at third base and 13 at second base. Additionally, Rosario has experience playing at every outfield position and shortstop over his nine-year career, making him an invaluable asset for the Yankees.
This acquisition follows the Yankees' recent trade with the Colorado Rockies for veteran third baseman Ryan McMahon. Unlike McMahon, who is signed for the next two seasons at $32 million, Rosario will enter free agency after the current season. The Yankees will cover the remaining balance of his one-year, $2 million contract, which he signed with Washington in January.
This trade marks the third consecutive year that Rosario has been moved close to the trade deadline, making him the sixth team he has played for since the end of the 2023 season. Interestingly, the Yankees nearly signed Rosario before the previous season; however, he opted for a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Tampa Bay Rays instead. Following his time with the Rays, he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in late July and concluded the season with the Cincinnati Reds after being claimed off waivers.
In exchange for Rosario, the Yankees parted ways with right-hander Clayton Beeter, a 26-year-old pitcher currently in Triple-A and who has made five major-league relief appearances. Beeter was acquired by the Yankees in 2022 from the Dodgers for Joey Gallo. The Yankees also traded Browm Martinez, an 18-year-old outfielder performing impressively in the Dominican Summer League, hitting .404 with a 1.139 OPS in 18 games. Martinez was signed by the Yankees for $130,000 last year.
Overall, the acquisition of Amed Rosario not only bolsters the Yankees' batting lineup but also enhances their defensive flexibility as they push through the remainder of the season.
