ESPN: The Yankees sign versatile prospect with a fastball of 98 mph from Cubs.
In exchange for monetary considerations, the New York Yankees have announced that they have acquired right-handed reliever Michael Arias from the Chicago Cubs. With a power sinker that sits at 96.7 mph and little vertical or horizontal movement because of the ineffective spin he produces on the field, the 23-year-old has an intriguing arsenal. However, his upside due to an unusual release point could make him a useful reliever in the major leagues. He may be an entertaining pick-up; he’s a projectable right-hander with command difficulties and a ton of intriguing statistics.
The organization won’t be moving any players in the transaction because the return is for cash, and since Arias was DFA’d back in January, New York will have to add him to their 40-man roster but retain him in Triple-A.
Michael Arias Trades With the Cubs to Join the Yankees
Michael Arias, who started out as a wild starter in the Minor Leagues before settling into a job as a reliever in the higher echelons of professional baseball, is an intriguing arm the Yankees are acquiring. The right-hander, who is only 23 years old, has a dynamic arm that Matt Blake and Sam Briend might develop into a superb reliever. FanGraphs ranks Arias at number 11, which is more aggressive than MLB Pipeline, which ranked him as the Cubs organization’s number 18 prospect.
The fact that Michael Arias was signed by the Blue Jays in 2018 as a shortstop before switching to pitcher in 2021 with the Cubs is arguably the funniest fact about him. It only serves to highlight how undeveloped a prospect he is. Last week, the Cubs designated him for assignment, and it’s obvious that command was a major factor in Chicago’s decision to cut him off the team despite his intriguing aberrant qualities.
Arias’s distinctive release points—a 2.2-foot horizontal release point and a 5.0-foot vertical release height—are what make him stand out. The Yankees have had great success assisting pitchers with low and broad release points but weak command. Pitchers with aberrant release points can create irregular angles with their pitches. Luis Gil and Jake Cousins, who were instrumental in their run to the World Series, are two notable instances from the previous season.
Michael Arias battled with command last season in Double-A and Triple-A, walking 16.8% of hitters he faced. As a result, he recorded a 4.77 ERA in both leagues. Arias has struggled with command throughout his professional career, walking 135 hitters in 182 MiLB innings. However, the Yankees could be able to improve his mechanical shortcomings and help him get more pitches in-zone and chases.
Arias’ 67.5% sinker use was a major factor in Triple-A batters only expanding the zone 20.6% of the time against him. Throughout the season, the right-hander was unable to consistently mix in other offerings like a cutter, slider, or changeup, and falling down in counts increased the burden on him to repeatedly throw the sinker.
His sinker movement profile shows a lot of inefficient spin, which may be the result of a bad grip or feel for the pitch or poor wrist alignment at release. Although Michael Arias has two MiLB options and won’t be 24 until November 2025, the Yankees will have their hands full.
