Yankees reportedly trade for slugging Nationals INF Luis García Jr.
The New York Yankees reached a deal Sunday to acquire slugging Washington Nationals infielder Luis García Jr for a package of pitchers, according to multiple reports.
Per those reports, the Yankees will send right-handed relievers Ben Grable, Yovanny Cruz and Jake Bird, and right-handed starter Jack Cebert to Washington in return. Bird, 30, is a five-season MLB veteran. The rest of the pitchers in the deal are prospects.
García was a late scratch for Sunday's Nationals game against the Atlanta Braves amid reports of a deal getting close.
García, 26, is in the midst of a breakout season in his seventh MLB campaign and provides the Yankees with another productive bat. Through 104 games, García is slashing .283/.313/.560 with 23 home runs and 76 RBI. His .560 slugging percentage leads the National League.
Where will García play?
It's unclear how the Yankees intend to deploy García on defense. He's played primarily at first base this season, but has also played at shortstop and second base during his Nationals career.
The Athletic's Yankees beat writer, Brendan Kuty, speculated earlier Sunday that García would play first base vs. right-handed pitchers, sending All-Star Ben Rice to designated hitter on those days.
Wherever he plays, García projects to inject power and reliable hitting into a lineup that New York hopes will be healthy and ready to contend for a World Series run in October. Three-time MVP Aaron Judge (rib), three-time-Star Cody Bellinger (hamstring) and five-time All-Star Giancarlo Stanton (calf) were all on the injured list as of Sunday.
Yankees provide update on Judge, Bellinger, Stanton
Judge and Stanton are both dealing with extended absences. Manager Aaron Boone told reporters Sunday that Stanton has been hitting and that Bellinger has been running, hitting and throwing. Judge remains without a timeline or a date for further imaging on the stress fracture in his upper right rib.
Despite the injuries, the Yankees finished Sunday in control of the AL's first-wild card spot and in comfortable position for the postseason at 63-49. They're 2.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the AL East.
