The New York Yankees have made another move before the MLB trade deadline, this time picking up Amed Rosario from the Washington Nationals. The deal, announced on Saturday night, sends two young players to the Nationals in return for the versatile right-handed hitter.
Who Is Amed Rosario?
Amed Rosario is not new to New York fans—he was once a top prospect with the Mets. So far this season, he’s batting .270 with five home runs and a .736 OPS (on-base plus slugging).
However, he’s been much better against left-handed pitchers, hitting .299 with an .816 OPS in those matchups. The Yankees plan to use him mainly against lefties, giving their lineup more balance.
What Does Rosario Bring to the Yankees?
Rosario is a multi-position player, which is something manager Aaron Boone will value. This season alone, Rosario has started:
20 games at third base
13 games at second base
He has also played in the outfield and at shortstop during his 9-year MLB career
This kind of flexibility makes him a great fit, especially during the final push toward the playoffs.
How Does This Trade Fit the Yankees’ Strategy?
This deal comes just one day after the Yankees traded for third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies. While McMahon is locked in for the next two seasons with a $32 million contract, Rosario is on a one-year deal and will become a free agent after this season.
The Yankees will pay the rest of Rosario’s $2 million salary for 2025. Interestingly, the Yankees tried to sign Rosario before last season, but he went with the Tampa Bay Rays. Since then, he’s been with the Dodgers, Reds, and Nationals—this is now his sixth team since the end of 2023.
Who Did the Yankees Trade Away?
To get Rosario, the Yankees gave up two minor leaguers:
Clayton Beeter, a 26-year-old right-handed pitcher in Triple-A. He was traded to the Yankees from the Dodgers in 2022 for Joey Gallo. Beeter has made five relief appearances in MLB and gave up six runs in 3⅔ innings this season.
Browm Martinez, an 18-year-old outfielder playing in the Dominican Summer League. He has been very impressive this year, batting .404 with a 1.139 OPS in just 18 games. The Yankees signed him for $130,000 last year.
Yankees Strengthen Squad for Playoff Push
With Rosario and McMahon added to the roster, the Yankees are clearly serious about making a strong playoff run this season. Rosario’s ability to hit left-handers and play many positions gives them more depth and flexibility, especially late in games.
