Camilo Doval trade grades: Pirates take high-upside risk; Yankees had no choice but to move on
CBS Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- The New York Yankees traded right-handed reliever Camilo Doval and cash to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for catcher Omar Alfonzo and outfielder Luis Cruz ahead of the 2026 MLB trade deadline on August 3.
- Doval, a former All-Star closer with the Giants, struggled with the Yankees, posting a 4.63 ERA since last summer, but the Pirates view him as a high-upside reliever who could bolster their struggling bullpen.
- The Pirates also received cash covering most of Doval’s 2026 salary, and he remains under team control through arbitration in 2027, making this a low-cost, potentially high-reward acquisition.
- The Yankees acquired two lower-ranked prospects, with Alfonzo being a Double-A catcher known for defensive potential and Cruz a rookie-level outfielder, marking a move to cut losses on Doval.
- Analysts graded the trade an A for the Pirates due to bullpen needs and upside, while the Yankees earned a C for moving on from a failed acquisition and gaining some salary relief and prospects.
