Yankees Bolster Their Rotation by Trading for Frankie Montas

In need of starting pitching because of durability concerns with multiple members of their rotation, the Yankees traded for one of the top available arms in baseball, acquiring Frankie Montas from the Oakland Athletics in a six-player trade in which the Yankees also added Lou Trivino, a right-handed reliever.

In the deal, which was first reported by Jack Curry of the YES Network and then confirmed by the Yankees, the A’s received the left-handers Ken Waldichuk and JP Sears, right-hander Luis Medina and second baseman Cooper Bowman.

While Waldichuk is a highly regarded pitcher who had been dominating for Class AA Somerset, the Yankees managed to hold onto shortstop Anthony Volpe, who is seen as the team’s top prospect.

In Montas, 29, the Yankees acquired a dependable frontline starter. He has a 3.18 E.R.A. in 19 starts this season but has been stuck with last-place Oakland, which has resulted in a 4-9 record for him. Last season, Montas was 13-9 with a 3.37 E.R.A. and his overall record in his seven-season career is 35-32.

Montas, who is eligible for salary arbitration after this year and can be a free agent in 2024, was widely viewed as one of the two best available starters at this year’s trade deadline along with Luis Castillo of the Cincinnati Reds, who was traded to the Seattle Mariners last week.

Earlier Monday, the Yankees announced another trade in which they acquired Scott Effross, a right-handed reliever, from the Chicago Cubs for Hayden Wesneski, a Class AAA right-hander. Effross and Trivino should be able to help a bullpen that has performed well this season but has had to repeatedly adjust for injuries and inconsistency.

While the Yankees may not be done dealing before Tuesday’s trade deadline, they have been among the more active teams, having acquired outfielder Andrew Benintendi from the Kansas City Royals last week.