The Yankees stayed aggressive Monday and landed arguably the best starting pitcher on the trade block in Frankie Montas. The 29-year-old right-hander was acquired from the Athletics, along with reliever Lou Trivino, for a quartet of prospects.
Montas, who has a 3.18 ERA in 19 starts (104⅔ innings), should slot in at No. 2 or No. 3 in New York’s rotation, behind ace Gerrit Cole and possibly Luis Severino, if the latter returns in good health later this season. The 30-year-old Trivino has a 6.47 ERA to go with 10 saves this season, but he had an ERA of 3.18 in 2021 with 22 saves.
Earlier in the day, the Yankees traded for Cubs reliever Scott Effross. Last week, New York acquired all-star outfielder Andrew Benintendi from the Royals.
Headed to Oakland in the deal are three pitchers — left-handers Ken Waldichuk and JP Sears, plus righty Luis Medina — and infielder Cooper Bowman. Waldichuk, 24, is the highest-ranked prospect of the group, per MLB.com, which had him fifth among Yankees farmhands. He has compiled a 2.71 ERA this year while moving between the Class AA and AAA levels. Sears appeared in seven major league games for the Yankees this season, with two starts, garnering a 2.05 ERA and a 3-0 record.