With Doval falling in 'pen hierarchy, Yanks deal him to Pirates for 2 prospects

CHICAGO -- Camilo Doval’s time with the Yankees never quite became what either side envisioned.

The arm remained electric. The velocity was prevalent. The flashes of the former All-Star were still there.

They simply did not appear often enough.

The Yankees traded Doval and cash considerations to the Pirates on Saturday in exchange for catcher Omar Alfonzo, now ranked as New York's No. 27 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, and outfielder Luis Cruz, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.

TRADE DETAILS
Pirates get: RHP Camilo Doval, cash
Yankees get: Minor League C Omar Alfonzo (PIT No. 17 prospect) and OF Luis Cruz

For Doval, the move represents a chance to reset with another contender after he had slipped into a lower-leverage role in New York’s bullpen.

“Hopefully, it’s something that’s good for him,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I think he’s actually in a pretty good spot right now where hopefully a fresh start and a better role serve him well. He’s going to a team in playoff contention, so hopefully it’s something that works out well.”

The Yankees acquired Doval from the Giants at last year’s Trade Deadline, betting on the overpowering stuff that made him a National League All-Star in 2023.

That version never fully emerged in New York.

Doval pitched to a 4.82 ERA across 22 appearances after the trade last season and posted a 4.54 ERA over 39 2/3 innings this year. He continued to flash premium velocity, but inconsistency gradually pushed him away from the bullpen’s most meaningful assignments.

Boone said that shift was partly a reflection of Doval’s performance and partly the emergence of other relievers who earned greater trust in high-leverage spots.

“He’s a really good kid that really tried to make adjustments,” Boone said. “Partly because of the performance of a lot of different guys in more leveraged roles, that kind of bumped him down a little bit, which I think is a bit of a challenge for him.”

The Yankees had not completely given up hope that Doval could reclaim a larger role. Boone noted how quickly bullpen hierarchies can shift over a long season, and Doval still offered reminders of his ceiling.

“Even in the last couple weeks, we’ve seen a couple outings where it’s been really electric,” Boone said. “Hopefully he goes there, and it’s a fresh start for him.”

According to Boone, Doval handled the news professionally, even as the move carried the natural emotions that come with leaving a clubhouse midway through a season.

“I think he took it great,” Boone said. “I think some sadness. You develop relationships here, and put a lot of work in, and there’s a lot of investment. I’m sure it’s mixed emotions for him.

“There’s some sadness leaving some of his teammates that you become close with, but also probably appreciative of the opportunity moving forward.”

In return, the Yankees added two young players who remain several years from the Majors.

Alfonzo, 22, was batting .239 with a .338 on-base percentage and .420 slugging percentage across 60 games at Double-A Altoona. He made 34 starts behind the plate and 12 at first base this season, and he owns a .746 OPS over 420 career Minor League games.

Cruz, 18, has appeared in 58 games across two seasons in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League. He has posted a .771 OPS overall, including an .886 mark in 19 games this year.

With the move, the Yankees will call up right-hander Yovanny Cruz from Triple-A Scranton. New York’s bullpen has been taxed heavily in recent weeks.

With the Trade Deadline approaching Monday at 6 p.m. ET, Boone obviously did not rule out additional movement.

“Those conversations are happening all over the league,” Boone said. “Who knows? We’ll see.”