The New York Yankees and the Oakland Athletics reached an agreement on a trade that will send starter Frankie Montas to New York in exchange for four prospects: LHP Ken Waldichuk, LHP JP Sears, RHP Luis Medina, and 2B Cooper Bowman. The Yankees also get reliever Lou Trivino in the deal.

What the Frankie Montas trade means for the Yankees

The Yankees have been motivated to acquire a starting pitcher this trade deadline. Although their rotation had a very good start to the year, they have fallen back down to Earth in the last month. Also, their bullpen has suffered some major blows this season. Chad Green underwent Tommy John Surgery back in May and Michael King, arguably their best reliever, suffered a season-ending fractured ankle earlier this month.

Frankie Montas will slot into the #2 roll in the Yankees rotation and delivers a fantastic 1-2 postseason punch behind Gerrit Cole. Montas also is under team control through the end of 2023.

What are the A’s getting?

Oakland received a solid return from New York in the Frankie Montas trade. The prize is left hander Ken Waldichuk. Waldichuk has been terrific in the minors this season. He has a sub 3.5 ERA across AA and AAA, and has racked up 116 strikeouts in only 76 IP. He has terrific stuff.

JP Sears has been solid for both the AAA team and the major league club. He has a great sinking fastball. His delivery and stuff is reminiscent of current Yankees reliever Zack Britton. Luis Medina has a terrific fastball that ranks as a 75 grade pitch and Cooper Bowman is in High-A and projects as a plus-plus runner and a solid defender. These prospects rank #5, #20, #10, and #21 in the Yankees system respectively.

Frankie Montas Trade Grades

Yankees: A

Athletics: A-