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ASSOCIATED PRESS
In this Aug. 18 photo, San Francisco Giants’ Andrew McCutchen, center, is congratulated in the dugout after scoring during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, in Cincinnati.
NEW YORK >> The playoff-contending New York Yankees acquired former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen from the San Francisco Giants on today for two prospects.
The teams announced the deal on the last day for trades to be done for players to be eligible for the postseason. San Francisco is getting infielder Abiatal Avelino and right-hander Juan De Paula and is also sending cash to New York.
McCutchen was unable to make it to New York in time for the Yankees’ game against Detroit on today.
In his first season with the Giants, McCutchen is hitting .255 with 15 home runs, 55 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. His .357 on-base percentage trails only that of Aaron Judge (.398) and Aaron Hicks (.365) among qualified Yankees. He was a five-time All-Star with Pittsburgh and the 2013 NL MVP.
The 31-year-old McCutchen has been the Giants’ regular right fielder since being acquired from Pittsburgh last offseason. He could fill that spot for the Yankees, who have been without Judge since his wrist was broken by a pitch in late July. New York originally thought Judge could return within three weeks, but he’s yet to even grip a bat in a frustratingly slow recovery.
New York has the second-best record in the majors and is 8 1/2 games behind AL East-leading Boston. The Yankees are hoping to activate injured catcher Gary Sanchez (groin) on Saturday and could also get shortstop Didi Gregorius (heel bruise) off the disabled list this weekend.
The Giants also agreed to send the Yankees $1.2 million to cover just less than half of the more than $2.45 million remaining on McCutchen’s $14.75 million salary. McCutchen can file for free agency after the season.
The 23-year-old Avelino was hitting a combined .287 with 15 homers, 66 RBIs and 25 steals at Triple-A and Double-A. He was ranked the Yankees’ 23rd-best prospect by MLB.com.
De Paula is a 20-year-old starter who has pitched well with short-season Staten Island, going 2-2 with a 1.71 ERA and nearly a strikeout per inning. He’s ranked as New York’s 26th-best prospect on MLB.com.
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