Billy McKinney, who joined Brandon Drury in the deal to Toronto that brought the Yankees J.A. Happ, becomes the fifth lefty-hitting outfield prospect the Yanks have traded since August 2016, joining Ben Gamel, Blake Rutherford, Dustin Fowler and Jake Cave. Plus, they let Mason Williams leave as minor league free agent.
The Astros addressed a concern in catching depth and ability to control a running game Thursday by acquiring Martin Maldonado from the Angels for lefty pitching prospect Patrick Sandoval and $250,000 in international pool money.
Houston starting catcher Brian McCann had knee surgery earlier this month, and neither Max Stassi nor Tim Federowicz does well in nailing base stealers.