The New York Yankees, who took on $265 million of Giancarlo Stanton’s contract until 2027, shed more payroll less than 24 hours after officially acquiring the National League MVP and former Miami Marlins outfielder.
 
The Yankees agreed to trade third baseman Chase Headley, who is owed $13.5 million in 2018, and right-handed pitcher Bryan Mitchell to the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, according to two baseball officials with direct knowledge of the deal.   Yankees trade Headley, Mitchell to Padres for Jabari Blash  
The officials spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because the trade has not been finalized.
It's yet another significant move for the Yankees in their efforts to duck under Major League Baseball's $197 million luxury tax threshold for 2018. That would enable them to re-set their payroll tax penalties and attack the star-studded 2018 free agent class with less-severe financial ramifications.
In return, the Yankees received speedy reserve outfielder Jabari Blash.
The Padres reacquire a third baseman who starred for them several years ago and can become a free agent after next season, while also adding a useful reliever.
Mitchell, 26, has appeared in each of the last four seasons with the Yankees. In 2017, the reliever appeared in 20 games for a 5.79 ERA.
The Yankees shed another $22 million of 2018 payroll in packaging Starlin Castro to the Marlins in the Stanton trade, and now the biggest challenge remains: Jacoby Ellsbury. He's owed $21 million annually over the next three seasons, as well as a $5 million buyout on his 2021 club option -- or $68 million overall.
 BOB NIGHTENGALE AND SCOTT BOECK |USA TODAY
 

Comments are closed.