The Yankees are playing great baseball at the moment but the roster isn’t perfect. Here are 5 trade targets that can put New York over the top.
The New York Yankees currently have the best record in MLB at 28-12. Brian Cashman and company understand that the team cannot afford to rest on their laurels. The Yankees will always try to find ways to improve their roster.
Some of that improvement can come within the team’s farm system. For example, the club’s decision to call up Clint Frazier this week might give the bench a little more punch. The possibility of calling up a young arm like Justus Sheffield is always a possibility. Sometimes the right player to elevate your team isn’t in-house though.
That’s why everyone should expect Cashman and the Yankees to be very active in trade discussion all the way up until the deadline. It’s not a certainty that New York will make a deal, but the odds certainly lean that way. If nothing else, Cashman could make a move or two to keep a competitor from strengthening their own roster.
There are a couple of weaknesses that the Yankees may look to solidify via a trade. Obviously, the team would always entertain the idea of adding a front line starting pitcher. Sonny Gray has struggled mightily. Replacing him in the rotation could be a requirement if things don’t improve for him soon.
The team could also look to upgrade their options at both first base and center field. Neil Walker is starting to hit the ball much better as of late, but there will be more powerful options available via trade. Aaron Hicks has also struggled mightily at the plate. The Yankees may wait to see what Jacoby Ellsbury can do when he returns from injury, but they’ll jump on a quality center fielder if one becomes available.
There’s also the possibility that the Yankees will move to grab a star without any real regard for positional concerns. Cashman won’t hesitate to upgrade the roster at any spot if he sees an opportunity.
Without further delay, here are five realistic trade targets that can help the Yankees win a World Series this year.
5. Joey Votto
Votto may be the face of the Reds organization, but Cincinnati isn’t going anywhere this season. It might be in everyone’s best interest to move him before the deadline.
The obvious issue here is the mammoth contract Votto signed with the Reds. He’s in the midst of a 10-year, $250 million deal that doesn’t run out until 2024. The Yankees would obviously have to get him for practically nothing in terms of meaningful prospects to make this deal work.
Votto would also have to OK a move due to his no-trade clause. If he wants to come to a contender, the Yankees would be a terrific option.
He would slot immediately into the lineup in place of Walker. His .289 batting average would be an immediate upgrade and his power totals would only increase playing in Yankee Stadium. His swing is tailor-made for the short porch in the Bronx.
There are a lot of hurdles between the Yankees and a deal for Votto, but his on field fit is too obvious to deny. The Reds would likely have to lose more games to make this deal possible, but that could certainly happen. Votto is a player to keep an eye on as the Trade Deadline nears.
4. Mike Moustakas
Unlike Votto, Moustakas’ contract isn’t going to be any sort of issue. He’s only committed to the Royals through the end of this season. After that, his plan is to hit free agency and find a long-term deal.
That means Moustakas would likely be a rental for the Yankees. Given the presence of Miguel Andujar in the organization, that’s just fine. Moustakas could provide New York with a short-term lift down the stretch and then head out the door.
Moustakas already has 10 homers on the year and his power would likely increase after moving to Yankee Stadium as well. He’s a dead pull hitter. The Royals’ third baseman would look at the short porch in right as an absolute bullseye.
Don’t think that acquiring Moustakas would necessarily stunt Andujar’s development. Andujar could remain the starter at the hot corner if Moustakas were used as a DH or even as a first baseman. There’s room for both men in Aaron Boone’s lineup.
Moustakas gives Cashman the chance to bring in a talented rental without giving anything significant up in return. He’s almost certainly going to move this summer, the only question is where he’ll end up.
3. Kevin Gausman
Manny Machado isn’t the only Baltimore Oriole who should interest the Yankees this summer. Gausman is enjoying an excellent season and could provide the New York rotation a significant boost.
Gausman is also in a similar situation to Moustakas. He signed a one-year deal with Baltimore that looks like one of the best bargains in baseball. The former LSU hurler is only scheduled to make $5.6 million this season.
That’s excellent value for a pitcher who sports a 3.18 ERA in his eight starts on the season. Gausman is the sort of player the Yankees might look to acquire and re-sign once the offseason comes around.
Make no mistakes though, Gausman does not have ace potential. He isn’t going to challenge Luis Severino for the top spot in the Yankee rotation. He’s a quality pitcher who can be an above-average starter in the backend of Boone’s rotation. That sort of player could pay major dividends down the stretch.
2. Cole Hamels
At 34 years of age Hamels doesn’t quite have the electric stuff he possessed as a younger pitcher, but he’s still throwing the ball really well for the Rangers. The Yankees could easily see him as an upgrade over Sonny Gray in their rotation.
The most encouraging thing about Hamels’ numbers on the young season is that he’s still striking out over one batter per inning. He’s K’d 57 hitters in just over 51 innings pitched on the campaign. That shows you he still has more than enough juice to get hitters out.
The Yankees ability to acquire Hamels depends largely on whether or not Texas chooses to be buyer or sellers come the deadline. The fact that they’re already 10.5 games back in the division makes them likely sellers. That could change if they get on a hot streak, but things aren’t looking great for the Rangers at the moment.
If Hamels hits the open market there will be significant interest in his services. Still, his contract will limit what Texas can expect to receive in a trade. He’s making $22.5 million this season and has a complicated player option for next year. One good, but not great, prospect should be enough to get Hamels from Arlington to the Bronx.
1. Manny Machado
As good as Didi Gregorius has been for the Yankees this season, they still wouldn’t hesitate to bring in Machado. He’s the sort of transcendent talent that the organization will always look to add regardless of position.
Of course, the Orioles would prefer to send him outside the division. Unfortunately, Baltimore doesn’t have a ton of leverage. Machado is in the last year of his deal and this is their last opportunity to recoup any value for their star shortstop. If the Yankees offer the right combination of players and/or prospects, Baltimore will do the deal.
In all honesty, even if Baltimore don’t deal Machado to the Yankees he has a very good chance of ending up there in 2019. Next summer is a massive free agent class but it’s clear Cashman would make Machado a top priority. It’s hard to imagine anyone outbidding the Yankees for his services in the summer.
Next: 5 reasons why the Yankees will finish ahead of the Red Sox
Machado is, by far, the most impactful player the Yankees have a realistic chance to add this season. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see Cashman wait out the market just to make sure he keeps enough ammunition to add Machado if he becomes available. Adding him to a lineup that already features Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton would seem unfair to opposing pitchers.