The Yankees have acquired right-handed pitcher Michael Arias from the Cubs in exchange for cash considerations. Arias, 23, was designated for assignment by Chicago earlier this week. With open spots on their 40-man roster, the Yankees did not need to make a corresponding roster move to accommodate the acquisition.

Who is Michael Arias

Originally signed as an international free agent by the Blue Jays, Arias began his professional career as a shortstop. However, after being released, he was picked up by the Cubs, who converted him into a pitcher. Despite showing flashes of potential on the mound, Arias has struggled with control, a challenge not uncommon for players transitioning to pitching after beginning their careers in another position.

Over the past four seasons, Arias has pitched 182 innings across various levels of the minors, recording a 4.25 ERA. While his 27.7% strikeout rate highlights his ability to generate swings and misses, his 16.5% walk rate underscores his difficulty in consistently finding the strike zone. Recognizing his upside, the Cubs added Arias to their 40-man roster in November 2023 to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. However, his command issues persisted during the 2024 season, where he posted a 4.77 ERA across 60 1/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, accompanied by a 25.2% strikeout rate and 16.8% walk rate. The Cubs ultimately designated him for assignment after signing veteran pitcher Colin Rea.

For the Yankees, the move represents a low-risk opportunity to tap into Arias’ raw potential. With a mid-90s sinker, a slider effective against right-handed hitters, and a changeup that FanGraphs analysts Eric Longenhagen and Travis Ice consider potentially elite, Arias has the tools to succeed if he can refine his command. The Yankees can also benefit from the fact that Arias has minor league options remaining, allowing them to develop him further without the pressure of immediate results at the major league level.

This acquisition aligns with the Yankees’ ongoing efforts to bolster organizational pitching depth. With several roster vacancies, they can afford to take a chance on a high-upside arm like Arias, who may still have untapped potential despite his control struggles. As he continues to adjust to his relatively new role on the mound, the Yankees’ development staff will aim to help him harness his stuff and translate it into consistent success.