Minnesota Twins acquire first baseman/outfielder Tyler Austin and RHP Luis Rijo
New York Yankees acquire RHP Lance Lynn and cash
Austin is the headliner in this deal. The Minnesota Twins have uncertainty at first base with Joe Mauer eligible for free agency following the 2018 season. Austin has a chance to help the Twins solve the riddle that will soon come.
He has a chance to make his impact on this season as well. Byron Buxton has been either injured or in Triple-A for the majority of this season. Minnesota has been trotting out the likes of Jake Cave, Ryan LaMarre, and Taylor Motter to help cover for Buxton’s absence and that has not gone well.
Motter and LaMarre are no longer with the Twins, while Cave has been nothing special and still needs time to develop. Austin has played in 85 games with the Yankees in MLB during his short career and should see time in the Twin Cities down the stretch.
Austin has hit .230 with 15 home runs and 43 runs batted in across 268 career plate appearances. The 26-year-old has shown very little during his brief time in MLB but a change of scenery can sometimes help jumpstart a career.
Rijo is a bit more unknown than Austin. He’s the type of prospect a team acquires as a secondary asset but he has played well during his Minor League career. He has a 2.80 ERA in 29 games, 18 starts, during his Minor League career.
The 19-year-old has far exceeded expectations to this point in the Minors and his future gets brighter every time he toes the rubber. The Venezuelan has seen time at three levels of the Minors for the Yankees this season and he has been impressive.
Rijo has a 2.77 ERA in seven games, five starts, during this season. He has allowed only three walks while striking out 32 batters across 39 innings pitched so far this season. In the end, Rijo could end up being the steal of this trade. Now, let’s take a look at the Duke trade.