Yankees trade outfielder they just signed

 The Pirates have secured outfielder Billy McKinney in a trade with the Yankees, exchanging international bonus pool money, according to Jack Curry of Yes Network. McKinney recently inked a minor league deal with the Yankees and wasn't part of their 40-man roster, so he won't immediately claim a roster spot with the Pirates.

This trade stands out because McKinney, aged 29, only signed the deal with the Yankees last week. Despite being a former first-round pick and top-100 prospect, McKinney has struggled to find consistent success in the majors. In his 311 big league games since his debut in 2018, he has posted a batting line of .209/.284/.390, resulting in a wRC+ of 81.

During his 48 appearances for the Yankees this year, McKinney showcased a keen eye at the plate, walking in 11.6% of his plate appearances. However, he also had a high strikeout rate at 26.5%. His overall performance, with a .227/.320/.406 batting line and a 101 wRC+, suggested he was close to league-average. Despite this, the Yankees outrighted him off the roster at the end of the season. McKinney opted for free agency, returning on a minor league deal before being traded to the Pirates.

The motive behind McKinney's acquisition could be linked to the catching situation in Pittsburgh. With prospects Endy Rodriguez and Henry Davis debuting in 2023, Davis spent most of his time in right field, while Rodríguez handled the catching duties. However, with Rodriguez set to miss the entire 2024 season due to UCL/flexor tendon surgery, Davis could transition back to catching.

If Davis doesn't remain an outfield option, the Pirates will have an opening in right field. Jack Suwinski is expected to be in center, and Bryan Reynolds in left. While the roster includes Joshua Palacios, Connor Joe, Ji Hwan Bae, and Canaan Smith-Njigba as options, McKinney provides additional non-roster depth.

Should McKinney secure a roster spot, it's worth noting that he is out of options but has slightly over three years of service time. If he realizes his potential in the upcoming seasons, the Pirates might choose to retain him beyond 2024 through arbitration.