ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — In a move that looks like a precursor to something bigger, the Yankees traded away two relievers late Tuesday night “for a player to be named later.” The Bombers sent right-hander Luis Cessa and lefty Justin Wilson to the Reds.
With the clock ticking on Friday’s 4 p.m. trade deadline, the Yankees already have concerns about their bullpen, which was shaky but eventually held in Tuesday night’s 4-3 win over the Rays at Tropicana Field. They have several needs, however, heading into the deadline.
This move not only creates space on the Yankees’ 40-man roster, but it also clears some room under the luxury tax threshold if the Bombers want to bring in a player with a higher annual average value. Wilson was making $2.85 million this season with a player option for 2022 of $2.3 million. Cessa, who was in just his second year of arbitration, was making $1.05 million.
Cessa allowed 12 earned runs in 38.1 innings pitched in relief this season. He allowed two home runs and struck out 31 in 29 appearances. The 29-year-old had four saves and pitched to a 4.19 ERA over parts of five seasons with the Yankees, who acquired him from the Tigers along with Chad Green ironically for Justin Wilson in December 2015.
WIlson’s second tenure with the Yankees was not as good as the first. He went 1-1 with a 7.50 ERA in 18 innings pitched over 21 appearances.
On Monday, the Yankees traded two minor leaguers for right-handed reliever Clay Holmes.
