MLB Trade Review: Yankees and Giants make a deal

The New York Yankees have acquired LHP Wandy Peralta from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for OF Mike Tauchman.

This is a deal that seemingly came out of nowhere. The Yankees bullpen has actually been their strength this year, while the offense has been terrible. So, trading a hitter for a reliever wouldn’t make sense on the outside. But, Tauchman was a part of the problem. After looking like the next Yankees discovery in 2019, he has not hit a home run since then, and his only value has been defensive. Now that Clint Frazier has improved and Brett Gardner is on the roster, Tauchman became expendable. You could argue that getting rid of him would benefit their offense, although not when Tyler Wade was recalled to replace him. Unlike Tauchman, Peralta still has a minor-league option. He can be a better middle relief left-hander than Lucas Luetge, who has struggled this year. Peralta has struggled this year, but he had a 3.29 ERA in 25 games last year. He also has limited batters to an 84.5 mph average exit velocity this year, with a very good 2.80 xERA. Batters hit .133 against his slider last year, but they are 8-for-15 against the pitch this year. He has the potential to be a solid pick-up.

For San Francisco, these sellers are looking for talent, and Tauchman may have that. He hit 13 home runs with a .865 OPS in 87 games in 2019 but has looked lost since then. He still had a 12.6 BB% last year, and his defensive value helps the Giants. If given regular at-bats, Tauchman can be a lot better than a middle relief pitcher.

Peralta, 29, has a 5.40 ERA with eight strikeouts, a 3.82 FIP, and a 1.680 WHIP for the Giants this year. In his MLB career for San Francisco and the Cincinnati Reds, Peralta has a 4.72 ERA with 158 strikeouts, a 4.84 FIP, and a 1.490 WHIP in 192.2 innings.

Tauchman, 30, is 3-for-14 with a .552 OPS and two stolen bases for the Yankees this year. In his MLB career for New York and the Colorado Rockies, Tauchman has hit 13 home runs with 16 stolen bases, a .250 average, and a .752 OPS in 492 Plate Appearances.