Yankees trade for versatile infielder Amed Rosario ahead of Trade Deadline

The Yankees have made their second trade before the trade deadline on July 31st at 6 p.m. ET, acquiring 29-year-old infielder Amed Rosario from the Washington Nationals; in exchange for the Yankees' No. 20 prospect pitcher Clayton Beeter and Browm Martinez, an outfielder in the Dominican Summer League. 

Rosario has been solid offensively this year in 47 games with a .270 average, five home runs, 18 RBIs, a 736 OPS, and a 105 wRC+. Rosario excels at hitting left-handed pitching with a .816 OPS and a 126 wRC+. 

Another notable aspect of Rosario's game is the versatility he brings to the Yankees, as he has started at third base, second base, shortstop, and right field this season. However, he is not a good defender at all with a -8 OAA and a -6 FRV. 

Rosario is a rental as he will be a free agent at the end of the season and has also played in New York before, in Queens for the Mets. Some may recall when Rosario hit a walk-off home run at Yankee Stadium for the Mets during the unprecedented 2020 COVID season, something that may never happen again. 

Now the Yankees will turn their focus toward acquiring pitching as they are in desperate need of bullpen help with a 4.32 bullpen ERA, good for the eighth-worst bullpen ERA in the MLB. 

My thoughts on the trade: I really like this trade. Rosario brings some much-needed help offensively after losing Judge to the IL today. He is also a solid base runner and doesn't strike out very often. I honestly didn't expect the Yankees to trade for another bat after acquiring McMahon, but I’m thrilled they did, as Rosario can now start at third against lefties and just be a good utility guy to give Jazz or Volpe an extra day off every now and then. Now the Yankees desperately need two more relievers and a starter before 6 p.m. on Thursday.