The New York Yankees have acquired pitcher J.A. Happ from the Toronto Blue Jays for AAA outfielder Billy McKinney and infielder Brandon Drury, per multiple reports. Happ, a 35 year old lefthander who is a free agent after this season, was generally seen as the best available short-term starting pitching option on the trade market this deadline, though he didn’t bring a real significant return.
This doesn’t bode well for the Texas Rangers, as they continue to shop Cole Hamels. Hamels was seen as having slipped behind Happ in terms of desirability, because of Hamels’ higher financial cost, his no-trade clause, and his deteriorating performance — Happ’s 4.