The Frankie Montas Saga has come to an end. And at the same time, the Oakland A’s have managed to get rid of Lou Trivino.
According to Jack Curry from YES Network, Montas and Trivino are heading to the New York Yankees. In exchange, the A’s are getting back JP Sears, Ken Waldichuk, Luis Medina, and Cooper Bowman.
Oakland A’s receive decent haul for Frankie Montas, Lou Trivino
While this is not quite at the same level as what the Reds received for Luis Castillo, it is still a decent enough haul for Oakland. All four players were amongst the Yankees’ top 30 prospects, while Waldichuk ranks 70th on MLB.com’s top 100 prospect list.
Waldichuk is clearly the prize of the trade for Oakland. He immediately becomes the best pitcher in their system, moving from a fifth round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft and someone that was an afterthought to a possible star. He is armed with a pair of plus offerings – a mid 90s fastball with plenty of life and an incredibly deceptive sinking change. Waldichuk also has a slider and a curve, with all of his pitches playing up due to his funky delivery and low 3/4 arm slot.
Sears has already made his major league debut, firing 22 solid innings for the Yankees. In that time, he allowed just five runs on 14 hits and five walks, striking out 15 batters. While he is old for a prospect, the 26 year old Sears has potential. Another pitcher with a funky arm angle, his low arm slot allows his low 90s fastball to play up. He also features a potentially plus slider with two planes of action and a changeup. However, his overall lack of stuff limits his margin for error.
There was a time when Medina was considered one of the Yankees’ top prospects when he signed as a 16 year old with a 100 MPH fastball. He still has plenty of pure stuff, with his fastball grading as a plus-plus offering and a plus curve that is a low 80s hammer. Medina also a potentially plus changeup that sits in the low 90s with movement akin to a splitter. However, he has major issues harnessing his arsenal, which could take him from being a possible top of the rotation starter to a weapon in the bullpen.
Bowman may be the lowest ranked of the quartet of prospects (21st in the Yankees system) but he is intriguing in his own right. An athletic second baseman, he has plus speed and impressive instincts on the basepaths. His patient approach and compact swing work well with his speed and he has the raw power to reach double digits in home runs. It is also possible that Bowman sees time at other positions, as he could get a look in center as well.
In the end, this is not quite the same deal as what the Reds received for Castillo. It should not be much of a surprise as Montas had that bout of shoulder inflammation which may have depressed offers. However, the A’s were able to receive their new top pitching prospect and someone that can step into the rotation immediately along with a pair of lottery tickets. Viewed through that lens, it was not a bad haul.
The Oakland A’s have sent Frankie Montas and Lou Trivino to the New York Yankees for a package of prospects. Montas’ saga has come to an end.