Outfielder Ben Gamel traded to Mariners for two teenaged arms
Ben Gamel #38 of the New York Yankees scores an eighth inning run past Salvador Perez #13 of the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, May 10, 2016. Credit: Jim McIsaac
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Tuesday Ben Gamel received word he had been named the International League MVP for his work this season for the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Wednesday the outfielder was shipped to the Mariners in exchange for a pair of teenage arms. The glut of outfielders that have been infused into the system in the last year made the lefty-hitting and throwing Gamel, 24, expendable.
“He had a very good year this year, he had a very good year last year,” Joe Girardi said of Gamel. “But I know [we’re] pleased with the arms they got in return. We have a number of outfielders here so it might be a good opportunity for Ben, and hopefully the pitchers we acquired will make a difference here.”
The pitchers are Juan De Paula, 18, and Jio Orozco, 19, both of whom throw in the mid-90s and pitched this season in rookie ball.
“They’re young pitchers with good arms,” Girardi said.
The Yankees also announced Wednesday they had traded for Eric Young Jr., acquiring the veteran outfielder from the Brewers for cash considerations. Though he will be assigned to Triple-A, Girardi said “it’s possible” the 31-year-old, who has played with the Rockies, Mets and Braves, could be with the Bombers when they start a three-game series in Baltimore Friday night against the Orioles. Rosters officially expand to 40 on Thursday.
More call-ups
Girardi reiterated what he said Tuesday — there will be a handful of reinforcements from Scranton when rosters expand.
“I think we’re going to add to our bullpen, we’ll add a couple of position players,” Girardi said.
Among position players, utility man Rob Refsnyder is strong candidate to be called up, and lefthander James Pazos and righthanders Nick Goody and Luis Severino are among the pitchers who could join the club in Baltimore.
Bird, others AFL bound
First baseman Greg Bird, who missed all of this season rehabbing surgery for a torn labrum in his right shoulder, will play in the 2016 Arizona Fall League. Among the position players in the organization slated to join him are shortstop Gleyber Torres, the headliner acquisition in the Aroldis Chapman deal with the Cubs, third baseman Miguel Andujar and shortstop Tyler Wade.
