Yankees deal with Cubs for reliever who throws gas

The Yankees adore hard-throwing relievers, and they recently signed one who frequently has no idea where the ball is headed.

Pitching prospect Michael Arias was sent to the Yankees on Wednesday for monetary considerations after being designated for assignment by the Cubs last Sunday.

Arias, a 23-year-old converted infielder with no major league experience, was ranked No. 18 by MLB Pipeline and 11th by FanGraphs as a Cubs prospect. Although the righty’s fastball has reached 98 mph, walks have been a major issue for him throughout his career.

Pitching to a 4.77 ERA and recording nine saves in 49 Double-A and Triple-A games last season, the 6-foot, 155-pound Dominican struck out 72 and walked 48 in 60.1 innings.

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Arias was promoted to Triple-A on May 29 after beginning the season 3-0 with a 3.75 ERA in 15 games for Double-A Tennessee. He ended the season 3-2 with a 5.45 ERA in 33 games for Iowa.

Arias signed a $10,000 contract with the Blue Jays in July 2018, but he was cut loose in May 2020 before ever playing professionally.

Arias converted to pitching as soon as he signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs in January 2021. His greatest season was in 21 when he pitched 23.1 innings for the Dominican Summer League Cubs, recording a 3.09 ERA, 22 strikeouts, and 14 walks.

Arias has tossed 182 innings with 227 strikeouts and 135 walks, good for a 4.25 ERA for his career.

When the Cubs needed to make room on the 40-man roster for a free agent acquisition, reliever Colin Rea, Arias was DFA’d even though he was a rated prospect.

This is MLB Pipeline’s Arias scouting report:

He spent the most of the following two seasons learning how to throw strikes in rookie ball after being selected by the Cubs in January 2021. Some executives from other clubs believe he may have had the greatest pure stuff in Chicago’s system when he was on. He made his debut in 2023, fanning 110 in 81.1 innings over two Class A stops.

Arias works from a slot that is almost sidearm and slings fastballs that sit at 94-96 mph and touch 98 with a lot of sinking and tailing action, giving batters a unique look. In addition to fade and sink, his changeup exhibits hints of being a plus pitch with velocity in the upper 80s. Though less consistent than his other offerings, his mid-80s slider flattens out when he gets beneath it and devours righties when he stays on top of it. It also produces some late bite.

And this is the scouting report from FanGraphs:

With 22 starts, 81.1 innings pitched, 110 strikeouts, and a 40-man roster added in the offseason, Arias had a breakout 2023 season split between Low-A and High-A. Arias had a difficult season in 2024 after the Cubs intentionally moved him to the bullpen, particularly after he was promoted to Iowa and walked one batter per inning. Arias has always had trouble walking, but it seemed logical to assume that he would improve because he was so athletic and new to pitching. Even while he hasn’t yet reached 40-grade control, his wildness nonetheless detracts from the electric power of his material.

With a righty-dowsing slider, a mid-90s sinker, and a perhaps plus-plus changeup, this is a weird, low-slot righty. Arias’s greatest changeups are vicious enough to miss bats right on the right and have devastating finishes. He finds it difficult to get on top of his 82-86 mph slider because of his slot. Despite having a frisbee shape, it is nonetheless a good bat-misser due to its late, compact action. Arias is skilled at pitching numerous innings at once and has the tools to handle hitters of either hand. Although his control hasn’t improved, he is still expected to play an impact relief role here as a multi-inning weapon with great stuff.

Arias will probably start the 2025 season with the Yankees in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and attempt to throw enough strikes to earn a call-up later in the season.

The Yankees’ 26-man roster is likely to include eight relievers. Five players are guaranteed spots going into spring training: right-handers Luke Weaver, Jake Cousins, Mark Leiter Jr., Ian Hamilton, and closer Devin Williams.

Scott Effross and rookie Clayton Beeter are also contenders, as is Fernando Cruz, who was acquired from the Reds in a winter trade. If the starters remain healthy and veteran starter Marcus Stroman is not traded, he will also be in the bullpen.

The Yankees and Cubs made two trades in as many months with Arias. The Yankees traded right-hander Cody Poteet for outfielder Cody Bellinger on December 17.

You can contact Randy Miller at [email protected].