Last week’s series against the Chicago White Sox mattered. Climbing from the dungeons to the rooftops, Chicago leads the AL Central, only 4 wins behind the Yankees, the Bronx Bombers defused, Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton all out indefinitely. It’s Ben Rice and the best pitching staff in the world against everyone.
There was no room for Camilo Doval, allowing 2 runs and 3 walks in the two White Sox appearances against the White Sox.
And now he’s a Pittsburgh Pirate, days before the deadline, the Yankees couldn’t say “yes” fast enough.
Pittsburgh Pirates receive:
- right-handed RP Camilo Doval
New York Yankees receive:
- C Omar Alfonzo
- OF Luis Cruz
Yankees get some bats for the Railriders homestretch.
What does Camilo Doval bring to Pittsburgh?
Doval unraveled this season. One pitch accidentally out of the strike zone, the room’d start spinning. Were the lights too bright for the 2023 AL Star with 109 saves and 25 holds to this point on his Topps card?
Doval has a 7.08 ERA and 5 homers allowed in 20 1/3 innings at Yankee Stadium. 1.86 ERA and 1 homer allowed in 19 1/3 away.
If not the stadium lights, maybe the dimensions? Right-handers hit the bricks, slashing .143/.231/.247 against Doval. While lefties slash .360/.425/.573.
Camilo is a ground ball specialist, 57.3% rate this season, 60% in 2024. Doesn’t match a Yankees infield with Anthony Volpe afraid of the ball and Jazz Chisholm too cool for schooling it, making double plays look like attempts to lift Excalibur from stone.
Whether pressure, architecture or incompatible co-workers, Camilo Doval should be more like the 2023 All Star than this funky 2026 version.
Trade Grades
Pirates: A-
Doval averages a 98.6 mph on his sinker and 98.8 mph on the cutter. Flamethrower out of the pen, saving Paul Skenes sinking ship, or adding more gasoline to the embers and poking holes in the boat floor.
Yankees: C
Camilo Doval being good was the ideal, oh well, can’t pout.
Addition by subtraction. Doval can no longer hurt them. It’s okay. You can put the gun down.
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