The arch-rival Yankees and Red Sox made a rare trade Friday night with Boston sending outfielder Greg Allen to New York in exchange for minor-league pitcher Diego Hernández and cash considerations. Here’s what you need to know:
- The trade is only the sixth between the Yankees and and Red Sox since 1972 and first since a deal involving Adam Ottavino in 2021.
- New York manager Aaron Boone told reporters that Allen is expected to join the team in Cincinnati on Saturday.
- The 30-year-old switch-hitter played 15 games with the Yankees in 2021.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
Surprising trade partners
A trade between blood rivals? Well, this is weird. History reflects it. Prior to tonight, New York and Boston had only linked for trades five times since 1972.
The last time came when the Yankees salary dumped Ottavino and nearly all of the $9 million he was owed for the 2021 season along with then-pitching prospect Frank German to the Red Sox. Before that, it was a 2014 move in which New York swapped infielder Kelly Johnson for infielder Stephen Drew. — Kuty
What it means for the Yankees
So, what’s the next move? It’s anyone’s guess. Boone said Allen will join the Yankees in Cincinnati on Saturday. That means someone’s got to go.
Candidates include Willie Calhoun and Jake Bauers, who don’t have minor-league options and would have to be DFA-ed to be removed from the 40-man roster. It would seem unlikely that Aaron Hicks would get the axe, despite his rough season. Hicks is still owed $30.5 million over the three years remaining on his contract, including this season.
“We’ll get together and see what we’re going to do,” Boone said in his postgame meeting with reporters that was aired on the YES Network following the Yankees’ 6-2 win over the Reds on Friday night. — Kuty
What do the Yankees like about Allen?
“Switch-hitter,” Boone said. “Versatility. Good at the role. Can run. He’s stealing a ton of bases down at Triple-A. He’s very good at doing that, as well. He’s played here before.”
Allen had a .250 batting average with two home runs, 15 RBI and a .795 OPS in 37 games at Triple-A Worcester. He had also stolen 23 bases. — Kuty
Why Red Sox made the trade
Allen had an assignment clause (also known as an upward mobility clause) that required him to be added to the Red Sox’s big-league roster by Friday. With no room for him on Boston’s roster, the Red Sox worked a trade with the Yankees, where Allen was required to be added to New York’s active roster.
In exchange for Allen, Boston received cash considerations in addition to 18-year-old right-hander Diego Hernandez, who posted a 2.10 ERA in 12 games, five starts, for the Yankees’ Dominican Summer League team last season.
Allen played a depth role in Triple-A Worcester for the Red Sox this season. When center fielder Adam Duvall broke his wrist in April, Boston turned to Jarren Duran to fill the void and Duran has been a strong addition to the Red Sox lineup hitting .361 with a 1.006 OPS in 28 games. Barring another injury, the Red Sox were not going to add Allen to their 26-man roster and so found a trade that worked.
To fill Allen’s role in Worcester, the Red Sox signed veteran outfielder Bradley Zimmer to a minor-league deal. In parts of six-big league seasons, the 30-year-old Zimmer has hit .213 with a .631 OPS. — McCaffrey
Backstory
Allen has yet to appear in the majors this season, but has played 282 career games in the big leagues with four different teams across six seasons, most recently with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022. He owns an MLB career batting average of .232 with 10 home runs and 67 RBIs.
Required reading
(Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA Today)