MLB trade rumors: Meet the prospects the Yankees traded the Giants for Andrew McCutchen

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman traded two prospects to the Giants in exchange for former NL MVP outfielder Andrew McCutchen and cash before Friday’s MLB waiver trade deadline.

The Yankees paid an arm and a bat for Andrew McCutchen.

The team sent a pair of prospects in shortstop Abiatal Avelino and pitcher Juan De Paula to the Giants to acquire the former National League MVP and cash, the team said in a statement Friday morning.

MLB.com ranked Avelino the Yankees’ No. 23 overall prospect. It ranked De Paula at No. 26 overall.

Here’s what you need to know about both:

How Yankees’ lineup should look with McCutchen

Avelino

Age: 22

2018 stats: Double-A: .337 BA, 10 HR, 28 RBI, 49 G, 190 AB, .945 OPS; Triple-A: .252 BA, 5 HR, 38 RBI, 74 G, 274 AB, .663 OPS.

MLB.com scouting report snippet: “Avelino’s plus arm is his best tool and allows him to make all the throws at shortstop. He has soft hands and smooth infield actions, making him a viable defender at short, second base or third base. That versatility helps his cause because he profiles more as a utilityman than a regular.

Offensively, Avelino has proven that he can make consistent contact from the right side of the plate and use his solid speed to steal bases. But his lack of pop has given pitchers little reason to fear him, resulting in substandard on-base and slugging percentages. His Double-A power surge hasn’t carried over to Triple-A, hurting his chances of cracking a loaded New York infield.”

De Paula

Age: 20

2018 stats: Advanced rookie league: 2-2, 1.71 ERA, 10 G, 9 starts, 47 1/3 IP, 46 K, 26 BB, 35 H, 1 HR

MLB.com scouting report snippet: “De Paula could have three solid or better pitches once he’s fully developed. He shows the aptitude to move his fastball around the strike zone and continues to add velocity he fills out his skinny 6-foot-3 frame. He presently works at 92-97 mph after sitting in the upper 80s when he turned pro.

De Paula also displays the ability to spin a curveball and deceive hitters with his changeup. His secondary pitches and his control lack consistency, as they do with most young pitchers, but the ingredients are there for a No. 4 or 5 starter. If his fastball takes off as he matures physically, he could be more than that.”

Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.