The New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs completed another trade on Wednesday. While it doesn’t have the same impact as December’s major deal that sent Cody Bellinger to The Bronx, it could open up a path to the majors for one pitcher who previously had limited opportunities in Chicago.
Michael Arias, a right-handed reliever, was designated for assignment by the Cubs after they signed veteran Colin Rea on Monday. Now, he’ll be traded to the Yankees in exchange for cash considerations sent to Chicago.
Arias, 23, posted a 6-2 record with five saves and a 4.77 ERA in 49 relief appearances across Double-A Tennessee (16 games) and Triple-A Iowa (33 games) in 2024. His 49 appearances were tied for the most among Cubs minor leaguers last season.
Arias started the 2024 season with Tennessee before being promoted to Iowa on May 29.
Over four seasons in the Cubs organization (2021-24), Arias posted an 11-17 record with eight saves and a 4.25 ERA. In 182 innings across 97 games (32 starts), he allowed 155 hits, 86 earned runs, 135 walks, and 12 home runs, while striking out 227 batters.
Arias, a native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was initially signed by the Toronto Blue Jays as a non-drafted free agent on July 4, 2018. After being released by Toronto on May 29, 2020, he signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs on January 15, 2021.
The Cubs signed Colin Rea to a one-year, $4.25 million contract on Friday, which includes a $6 million club option for 2026. The deal also features a $750,000 buyout, bringing the minimum guarantee to $5 million.
Rea, 34, posted a 12-6 record with a 4.29 ERA in 32 games (27 starts) last season for the Brewers. Over his career, he has a 26-20 record with a 4.57 ERA in 94 games (76 starts) for the Cubs (where he pitched nine games in 2020), Padres, Marlins, and Brewers.
The Yankees have already made several significant adjustments to their bullpen, including acquiring closer Devin Williams from the Brewers in one trade and Fernando Cruz from the Reds in another. If Arias makes his big league debut in 2025, he will further strengthen their right-handed depth.
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