The New York Yankees had one player (Aaron Judge) named an All-Star starter on Thursday. But general manager Brian Cashman could double that if he completes a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates for Adam Frazier.
The 29-year-old Frazier was named the starter for the National League at second base, although he profiles to the Yankees as an outfielder. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Frazier, who received 47% of the fan vote, becomes the first Pirate to start at second base in the All-Star Game since Bill Mazeroski in 1967. Frazier and Mazeroski are the only two Pirates second basemen to start an All-Star Game.”
“It’s pretty unbelievable,” Frazier said Thursday. “I didn’t know that until a minute ago. Maz speaks for himself, just that name. Mention that name, and he’s a Hall of Famer, legend, Pittsburgh legend especially. So, I mean, anytime you’re mentioned with him, it’s a pretty big honor.”
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So why is Frazier an All-Star? He’s fifth in the majors with a .326 batting average. He’s second in base hits (101) and tied for third in doubles (24). This is the first All-Star nod for the six-year MLB veteran. But don’t think the honor will go to Frazier’s head. “I don’t really love the spotlight itself. I just try to go about my business and take care of what I need to take care of,” Frazier said, per MLB.com.
Frazier is making $4.3 million this season and has one more year of arbitration eligibility remaining.
Pirates GM Ben Cherington and Cashman are no strangers to talking trades. In January, they completed the deal for right-hander Jameson Taillon. Before landing with Pittsburgh in 2019, Cherington worked for a pair of American League East rivals: the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox.
UPDATE (1:40 p.m.): MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports “After a couple close calls with Eduardo Escobar, the White Sox are also thought to be taking a close look at Pirates All-Star Adam Frazier. Talks are ongoing. Fit makes great sense but price tag has to be much higher.”
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