Yanks acquire Lance Lynn from Twins

NEW YORK -- The Yankees continued their midseason roster makeover on Monday, acquiring right-handed pitcher Lance Lynn and cash considerations from the Twins while obtaining international bonus pool money from the Mariners in separate transactions.
New York shipped infielder Tyler Austin and right-hander Luis Rijo to Minnesota for the 31-year-old Lynn, who is expected to further bolster the Yankees' rotation following last week's acquisition of J.A. Happ. The Bombers parted with right-hander Adam Warren in the Seattle trade.

"It's the New York Yankees," Lynn said. "As a fan of the game growing up, it's exciting for me, as a young kid -- seeing them in their heyday, winning a lot of World Series championships. You look at their team now, they're going for it. I'm excited for that opportunity and that challenge. It's going to be a different experience. I'm just going to go in there and try to do everything I can to help, wherever that may be."
The moves continued a busy stretch for Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, who is simultaneously setting the table in hopes of a deep postseason run this year while preparing his club for the future.
Last week, New York added to a power bullpen by acquiring left-hander Zach Britton from the Orioles, then followed through on a heavily-rumored match with Toronto to import Happ. The left-handed starter pitched well in his debut on Sunday, spinning six strong innings in a 6-3 win over the Royals.
Cashman also triggered other deals with the Cardinals and White Sox to stockpile approximately $3.5 million for use in the international pool. MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported that the Yankees are paying approximately half of the $4.5 million owed to Lynn this season.

Lynn was 7-8 with a 5.10 ERA in 20 starts for the Twins this season, getting off to a slow start after signing a one-year, $12 million deal on March 12. Over parts of seven big league seasons -- the previous six with the Cardinals (2011-15, '17) -- Lynn went 79-55 with a 3.54 ERA in 203 games (181 starts).
The Marion, Ind., native has reached 10 wins and 150 strikeouts in each of his full five seasons at the big league level, and he offers the Yankees flexibility and insurance considering Luis Severino's growing innings tally, the respective injury histories of CC Sabathia and Masahiro Tanaka, plus Sonny Gray's inconsistent performance.
Lynn indicated that he's open to being used in a variety of roles.

"At this time of the year, you've got to do what you've got to do," Lynn said. "For me in my career, I've done a lot of things, whether it's out of the bullpen in the playoffs or even the bullpen in my rookie year for a little bit. I've done different things, and I still feel like I'm capable of doing that, whatever it may be. Whenever you're on a team that's looking for a World Series championship, you're going to do whatever you can to help. There's no ego in that."
Austin, 26, hit .223 with eight homers and 23 RBIs with the Yankees this season, also appearing in 25 games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Rijo, 19, went a combined 4-1 with a 2.77 ERA in seven games (five starts) at three levels of the Yanks' farm system this year. He signed with the club in July 2015.
Warren's second tour with the Yankees concluded, as the versatile right-hander finished 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 24 appearances this season. He was dealt to the Cubs in December 2015 as part of the Starlin Castro trade, then was re-acquired in July 2016 as part of the Gleyber Torres deal.
The Yankees recently finalized a deal with right-hander Osiel Rodriguez, MLB Pipeline's No. 9-ranked international prospect. The 16-year-old Rodriguez signed for $600,000, according to MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez, who also has the Yankees continuing their pursuit of 16-year-old right-hander Sandy Gaston.
The Bombers may not be done retooling, seeking some outfield thump while Aaron Judge mends a fractured right wrist. MLB.com's Jon Morosi has reported that the Yankees and Phillies have expressed interest in Toronto's Curtis Granderson, while MLB Network insider Jon Heyman said that the Yankees are in the mix for the Marlins' Cameron Maybin.