TAMPA — While the Yankees haven’t shown they can compete for a division title this season, they made a trade Monday that indicates that could change.
They gave up a pair of prospects in exchange for Pittsburgh right-hander Clay Holmes to bolster a bullpen that was once one of the best in the majors, but has sprung more than a few leaks of late.
Holmes, 28, appeared in 44 games for the Pirates this season and had a 4.93 ERA and a WHIP of 1.429 in 42 innings.
He’s been vastly more effective against right-handed hitters, holding them to a .471 OPS, while lefty batters have a .926 OPS versus Holmes this season.
Chad Green and Jonathan Loaisiga have both had multiple disastrous outings from the right side this season.
To acquire Holmes, the Yankees gave up Hoy Park, 25, who recently made his major league debut with the Yankees, while the team was dealing with a COVID outbreak. He appeared in one game.
Park impressed at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre prior to the callup, with an OPS of 1.042 in 223 plate appearances and an ability to play in the middle of the infield and the outfield.
The 23-year-old Castillo was hitting well with Double-A Somerset, with an OPS of .850 in 249 plate appearances. Castillo played second, third and shortstop at Somerset.
Both Park and Castillo signed as international free agents in 2014 and spent their entire careers in the Yankees system.