Yankees Acquire Andrew Heaney to Bolster Starting Rotation at Deadline

The New York Yankees have acquired Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney at the MLB Trade Deadline, bolstering their starting rotation

MIAMI — Moments before Friday's Trade Deadline, the Yankees made a move to bolster their pitching staff by adding a veteran left-hander. 

New York acquired Andrew Heaney from the Los Angeles Angels. The Yankees made the trade official with an announcement shortly before Friday night's series opener against the Marlins. 

Heaney, 30, has made 18 starts for Los Angeles this season, posting a 5.27 ERA with 113 strikeouts. Over his eight-year career—his last seven seasons have been with the Angels—Heaney has pitched to a 4.57 ERA in 109 appearances (107 starts).

It's that experience, and his track record at the big-league level, that has Yankees manager Aaron Boone amped up about the addition, ready to slot Heaney into the starting rotation. 

"We're very excited to add him, a pitcher in his caliber that certainly provides some depth," the skipper said.

The return is a pair of pitching prospects: Jansen Junk and Elvis Peguero. Neither of those young arms fall within the Yankees' top 30 prospects, per MLB Pipeline. 

Andrew Heaney was 6-7 with a 5.27 ERA in 18 starts for Angels. Janson Junk was 4-1 with a 1.78 ERA at Class AA. Elvis Peguero was 4-1 with a 2.23 ERA at Class A and AA.

— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) July 30, 2021

With Corey Kluber still sidelined, working back from his shoulder injury, and Luis Severino not quite ready to return on his long road back from Tommy John surgery, New York will certainly benefit from some added depth in their rotation. 

Not to mention the fact that Michael King was recently placed on the 60-day injured list thanks to his finger injury. Factor in the rest of the rotation adjusting back to a full season's workload after last year's pandemic-shortened campaign, and Heaney can help eat innings, keeping other arms healthy down the stretch.

"At this time of year, [it's important to] make sure you have the depth," Boone explained. "Obviously, with only one Trade Deadline, you've got to make sure you're covered. And the old adage you can never have enough pitching. To be able to get a guy like Heaney who's an established starter and having a strong season this year."

Boone also pointed out that while Heaney's ERA is high, it doesn't tell the entire story. 

"You look at the numbers, it's less hits than innings pitched, a lot of innings, it's a really strong strikeout to walk ratio," Boone said. "So we're excited about the depth that he can provide for us."

For the Yankees, adding Heaney caps off a hectic week full of moves. New York acquired both outfielder Joey Gallo and first baseman Anthony Rizzo, stacking two left-handed sluggers in the middle of their lineup.

The Yankees also traded for Pirates right-hander Clay Holmes, who made his debut with the team on Thursday afternoon in Tampa Bay. Lefty Joely Rodriguez was also packaged in the Gallo deal. Mix in the departures of Luis Cessa and Justin Wilson, in a trade to the Cincinnati Reds, and this pitching staff is poised to have a very different look throughout the second half of the season. 

MORE:

• Anthony Rizzo Gives Yankees Another Lefty Bat, Defensive Upgrade
• Yankees Show They Mean Business By Trading For Joey Gallo, Anthony Rizzo
• Yankees' Voit Drawing Trade Interest From Multiple Teams Ahead of Deadline

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