Tigers acquire Wilson from Yankees for 2 pitching prospects
Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila continues to make rebuilding his bullpen a priority this offseason.
The Tigers have acquired left-handed pitcher Justin Wilson from the New York Yankees in exchange for pitching prospects Chad Green and Luis Cessa.
Wilson, a 28-year-old reliever, was an essential part of the Yankees' bullpen a year ago, recording a 3.10 ERA and 1.13 WHIP while striking out 66 over 61 innings. He's first-year arbitration eligible and under team control through the 2018 campaign.
The Yankees are receiving a pair of right-handers in return.
Green, an 11th-round selection of the Tigers in 2013, spent the entire 2015 season in Double-A, compiling a 5-14 record with a 3.93 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 148 2/3 innings.
Cessa, a 23-year-old hurler from Mexico, went 8-10 with a 4.52 ERA and 1.43 WHIP while pitching at three minor-league levels last year. He finished the season at Triple-A Toledo, and is closer to making his big-league debut than Green.
Avila previously added veteran closer Francisco Rodriguez and righty Mark Lowe to his bullpen prior to the trade.