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Billy McKinney’s third Yankees stint will not be as memorable as the first two.
The Yankees traded the outfielder to the Pirates on Thursday night for international signing pool money, YES Network reported.
It comes one week after the Yankees signed McKinney, 29, to a minor-league deal, seemingly to add organizational depth
McKinney started his MLB career with the Yankees playing in two games in 2018.
McKinney was then signed last offseason and called up when Aaron Judge went on the IL with a toe injury in June.
The Dallas native provided a spark when first called up for the Yankees battered outfield before regressing.
“I feel like I’ve always believed in myself,” McKinney said after his hot start, which included four home runs and hitting .320 in his first 15 games in pinstripes.
“But it’s nice to put up some results and help the team win.”
The rebuilding Pirates could present a better chance at major league at-bats as the Yankees have prioritized outfield this offseason.
The Yankees acquired Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo in trades last week to play the corner positions with Aaron Judge moving over to play center field.
Giancarlo Stanton will be the regular DH, but could also step into play outfield to give the regulars a night off from the field.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Stanton is slimming down this offseason in order to stay healthier.
“I think you’re going to see a leaner Giancarlo – he’s always in great shape, but being at this point in his career, being a little lighter is gonna be something that serves him well,” Boone said at the winter meetings.
“I think it’s something he knows and wants to do. I think we’ll probably see an even little lighter Big G. Hopefully that leads to him being more athletic on the bases and … not just an option in the outfield but a good option in the outfield. That’s, I think, something important to him.”
McKinney has also played for the Blue Jays, Brewers, Mets, Dodgers and A’s throughout his six-year MLB career.
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