German included in Yankees-Marlins swap

The Padres are getting most of the publicity for the way they are revitalizing their roster this offseason and deservedly so. But don't sleep on the Marlins, who moved a top-10 prospect Friday in a deal for a pair of Major League pieces with the Yankees.

New York acquired No. 8 Miami prospect Domingo German, along with right-handed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and infielder Garrett Jones, for utilityman extroadinaire Martin Prado, right-handed pitcher David Phelps and cash, the clubs announced Friday afternoon. 

German first signed with the Marlins as a 17-year-old out of the Dominican Republic back in August 2009 and rose slowly through the organization's farm system in the five years since. This past year marked the first time he pitched in a full-season league, and the results were certainly promising. The 6-foot-2 right-hander owned a 2.48 ERA (second-lowest in the South Atlantic League) with 113 strikeouts and only 25 walks in a career-best 123 1/3 innings at Class A Greensboro last summer. His 1.8 walks per nine innings were third-best among qualified pitchers in the Sally League while his 3.26 FIP placed fourth. He was a Sally League midseason All-Star and was also a Futures Game selection at this year's prospect showcase in Minnesota.

From a scouting standpoint, German has received his best grades on his fastball, which was given an above-average 60 by MLB.com for its low-90s velocity and sinking action. His changeup is seen as average (50) with his slider (40) trailing behind the other offerings. Having turned 22 in August, the right-hander will likely start his Yankees career at Class A Advanced Tampa and could be poised to climb higher, especially if he continues to show impressive control. He became the Yankees' No. 7 prospect following Friday's trade. 

Along with German, the Yankees picked up Eovaldi, who will slide immediately into the back of the New York rotation. The 24-year-old right-hander owned a 4.37 ERA with 142 strikeouts and 43 walks in 199 2/3 innings last season for the Marlins. Thanks to his control numbers, his FIP of 3.37 showed he pitched better than the traditional numbers would indicate and might point to a strong 2015 to come. 

Jones, who has hit 15 or more home runs in each of his past six Major League seasons but isn't seen as solid defender at first base or the outfield, will likely be a left-handed DH/power-off-the-bench option for the Yankees.

Barring other moves, Prado will become the Marlins' starting third baseman come Opening Day, when he joins his fourth organization since 2012. He batted .282 with 12 homers and a .733 OPS between the Yankees and D-backs in 2014 while getting time at second, third, left field and right field. The 31-year-old veteran has two years left on the four-year deal he signed with the D-backs prior to the 2013 season.

Phelps spent time in the rotation and bullpen for the Yankees in 2014, putting up a 4.38 ERA with 92 strikeouts and 46 walks in 113 innings in pinstripes. He'll compete for a spot in the Marlins rotation come spring.

Phelps and Prado will join a group of Miami newcomers that includes Michael Morse, Dee Gordon and Mat Latos in 2015.