The Minnesota Twins designated slugger Kennys Vargas for assignment after acquiring outfielder Jake Cave in a trade with the New York Yankees on Friday.
The Twins sent 19-year-old right-handed pitching prospect Luis Gill to the Yankees for Cave, who was designated for assignment by New York a few days ago after they signed Neil Walker. Cave was added to the 40-man roster, necessitating the Vargas move.
Originally signed by the Twins in 2009, Vargas became expendable after Minnesota signed first baseman Logan Morrison last month. Morrison hit .246/.353/.516 last year with a .868 OPS and 38 home runs. Vargas hit .253/.314/.444 with a .758 OPS and just 11 home runs and spent 51 games with Triple-A Rochester.
Morrison is expected to be the Twins' primary designated hitter and split time with Joe Mauer at first base, roles that Vargas likely would have filled before the signing.
A sixth-round pick of the Yankees in 2011, Cave split time between Double-A and Triple-A last season, hitting .305/.351/542 with 20 home runs overall. Gill signed with Minnesota in 2015 and started 14 games for the Twins in the Dominican Summer League last season.
