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MLB trade rumors: 5 moves the Yankees should make

By Joshua Sadlock

May 8, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner (right) reacts with right fielder Aaron Hicks (31) after hitting a home run against the Cincinnati Reds in the eighth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner (right) reacts with right fielder Aaron Hicks (31) after hitting a home run against the Cincinnati Reds in the eighth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Are the first-place New York Yankees for real? These five moves could help them stay on top of the American League.

The New York Yankees are the biggest surprise in Major League Baseball so far this year, and it’s not even close. Picked by many to suffer their first sub-.500 season since 1995, the Bombers are off to a 21-9 start and have the best record in MLB. They reeled off eight straight wins from April 9 to April 17 and have currently won 10 of their last 12 games. No one in the league has been hotter than the Yanks.

Hot start being what it is — and the Yankees have taken advantage of a generous schedule to start the year — this is still a team with some very noticeable flaws. Their starting rotation, led by Luis Severino and Michael Pineda, has been good, but questions linger. The Yankees middle relievers have grossly overachieved. First base has also been a black hole in the lineup.

It will be difficult for the Yankees to decide how to handle this team. The front office made a concerted effort to rebuild the farm system last July, and it now ranks among the best in the league. How quickly the Yankees dip into their pool of prospects to keep this year’s team in contention remains to be seen. If the starting pitching can hold it together, the Yankees should consider pushing more of their chips to the center of the table and making an effort to contend ahead of schedule. Here are five moves to mull over for Brian Cashman and company.

Sep 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Pedro Alvarez (24) hits a double in the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Pedro Alvarez (24) hits a double in the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Snap up Pedro Alvarez if he opts out with Orioles

New York City prep product Pedro Alvarez is currently laboring away for the Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, attempting to prove that he can play the outfield. That is a silly idea, and Alvarez has little to no shot of making it back to the MLB level with the Orioles as an outfielder. His future is at DH or first base. While the Yankees have no need for a full-time DH or even a platoon DH thanks to Matt Holliday’s hot start, they do have a need for a left-handed power bat that can occupy first base.

Greg Bird was off to an ugly start to the 2017 season before an ankle injury landed him on the DL. Bird is batting just .100/.250/.200 on the year with 22 strikeouts and only three RBI in only 19 games. His replacement at first, Chris Carter, is hitting .204 with only one home run and 20 strikeouts in 54 at-bats. Alvarez proved he can be better than both last year. He is one of the best power hitters against right-handed pitching in the league, and hit 21 home runs in only 299 at-bats against righties last year.

Alvarez can opt-out of his minor-league deal with the Orioles this month, and if Bird and Carter are still struggling, the Yankees should take a flyer on the 2013 NL home run leader.

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