Blue Jays: J.A. Happ and the Yu Darvish Trade Model

Yankees

The Yankees would offer three intriguing right-handed pitching prospects in return for J.A. Happ. The Bomber’s would hypothetically let go of Chance Adams, Glenn Otto, and Ben Heller. Adams and Otto are both starters, while Heller is a bullpen arm.

Chance Adams is just twenty-three years old and currently plays for New York’s Triple-A affiliate, the Trenton Thunder. In sixteen starts, the righty has posted a 4.82 ERA, 4.58 FIP, 9.5 K/9, and 4.46 BB/9.

While his surface numbers are not strong this year, it should be noted that he posted a 2.89 ERA and 3.76 FIP in 21 starts last year in Triple-A. With concerning walk numbers and a poor 2018 season, Adams is not done developing. However, it is reasonable to expect him to make a major league team in 2019.

Glenn Otto is a much less immediate prospect. The right-handed hurler has managed a 3.48 ERA and 5.20 FIP in just two starts at Single-A. However, through two rookie-ball teams and a High-A affiliate last year, he posted a 1.35 ERA—with a great 13.5 K/9.

While he has not struck out as many batters in Single-A, posting a 17.8% K-rate, he has posted eye popping numbers everywhere else. In 2017, on three different teams, he posted a 42.9%, 66.7%, and 37.3% K-rate.

As well, while he was a closer for Rice University, he recorded 22 strikeouts in 172.1 career innings—he clearly has some nasty stuff. It should be noted that the Yankees see him as a starter this year, but he did pitch out of the bullpen five times in 2017. Whether he is a bullpen pitcher or starter affects his ETA for the majors. However, a pitcher with extreme strikeout stuff is always intriguing.

Finally, the hypothetical Yankees package would be completed with Ben Heller—who is a risk. The right-hander was dominant in the Yankees Triple-A and major league bullpen last year. However, this year he has landed on the 60-day DL, forced to undergo Tommy John surgery.

This surgery will be a major red flag for the organization. Despite his great numbers last year—2.88 ERA and 13.1 K/9 in 41 games in Triple-A—he requires some hoping and wishing. However, this may make him more available from the Yankees in conjunction with the rest of these prospects. After recovering from his surgery, the right-hander would most likely be ready for Triple-A Buffalo or the majors next year.