MLB trade rumors: 5 destinations for Mike Trout

3. New York Yankees

The Yankees have worked hard to rebuild their entire roster and farm system with young talent. With the more relaxed rules surrounding free agency and payroll in the new collective bargaining agreement, expect the Yankees to be prepared to spend heavily on the epic 2018 class of free agents that includes Bryce Harper and Manny Machado. It’s a safe bet that they will end up with one of those two young superstars, but could they further entice them by adding Trout?

For the first time since Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte came up through the system, the Yankees have the potential to have their own homegrown core, not aging superstars. Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez are two of the most exciting young sluggers in the league. Gleyber Torres is almost ready for his debut, as is Clint Frazier.

Would the Yankees really consider blowing up that incoming core for Trout?

Probably not, but the assets are there. Judge or Sanchez would headline the package for Trout. Judge would seem to be more expendable for the Yankees if they are bringing Trout back with the expectation that they will sign Harper in two years. Left-hander Jordan Montgomery has shown promise in his rookie season. Add him to the package, along with two more top prospects, Jorge Mateo and Justus Sheffield, and the Yankees might have enough to buy a seat at the table to negotiate a Trout trade.