Yankees trade outfielder Billy McKinney to the Pirates just ONE WEEK after re-signing him to a minor-league contract
The New York Yankees have traded Billy McKinney to the Pittsburgh Pirates – just one week after re-signing the outfielder.
McKinney recently signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees in a move to seemingly add depth to the organization, but just one week on he is now set to play a more integral role over in Pittsburgh.
The 29-year-old was traded to the Pirates in exchange for an undisclosed amount of international signing money.
During his six-year MLB career McKinney has also played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, LA Dodgers and Oakland Athletics – who originally selected him with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2013 MLB draft.
He batted .227 with six home runs and 14 RBIs in 48 games with the Yankees in 2023
He had initially provided a spark when he was called up in June following Aaron Judge’s stint on the IL with a toe injury, before regressing throughout the year.
The Yankees already entered the offseason possessing big names in the outfield such as Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, along with recently acquired Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo via a massive trade with the San Diego Padres.
The Yankees already entered the offseason possessing big names in the outfield such as Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, along with recently acquired Juan Soto and Alex
Yankees manager Aaron Boone recently stated that Stanton was attempting to slim down this offseason in an attempt to battle the constant injuries that have plagued him for years.
‘I think you’re going to see a leaner Giancarlo – he’s always in great shape, but being at this point in his career, being a little lighter is gonna be something that serves him well,’ Boone said during the winter meetings.
‘I think it’s something he knows and wants to do. I think we’ll probably see an even little lighter Big G.
‘Hopefully that leads to him being more athletic on the bases and … not just an option in the outfield but a good option in the outfield. That’s, I think, something important to him.’
