MLB Trade Rumors: 5 players the Yankees could flip Brandon Drury for

Brandon Drury isn’t happy in AAA, and he doesn’t belong in the minors which means a trade out of New York is the only move. 

You have to feel a little bit sorry for Brandon Drury. He left Spring Training as the Yankees starting third basemen and played pretty well until an injury knocked him out of the lineup. In his absence, Miguel Andujar has seized his position.

That leaves Drury languishing in AAA. Not surprisingly, the talented infielder isn’t happy to be there. His recent comments to the press make it very clear he wants to return to the Bronx very soon. The only challenge is there really isn’t a great spot to insert him in Aaron Boone’s day-to-day lineup.

The obvious solution would be to trade Drury for help at another position. That’s a lot easier than it sounds. The fact that he’s a young, proven starter at the major league level makes finding equal value for him a challenge. Brian Cashman’s job is even more difficult when you consider the fact that the Yankees still have three more years of arbitration control over the talented infielder.

Add it all up and it’s clear he is a really valuable asset. As such, the team has to get something meaningful in return if they elect to deal him. Finding a team that’s willing to sell an important piece in exchange for a non-prospect can be tough as the trade deadline nears.

In the end, odds still favor Drury staying in pinstripes for the remainder of the year. He’s a versatile player who gives the organization depth at multiple positions. He isn’t happy in AAA, but that’s not Cashman’s major concern.

If the team does look to deal Drury, they’ll want significant help at another position. Keep an eye on these five players as potential trade targets.

5. Shin-Soo Choo

The biggest obstacle standing in the way of a deal regarding Drury and Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo is the massive amount of money still owed to Choo. As such, the Rangers would likely have to include an additional asset to make a deal work. The Yankees aren’t going to assume the $42 million Texas owes him over the next two years without getting something worthwhile in return.

No Yankees fans, that something won’t be Cole Hamels, but this could serve as the framework for a larger dealing including the talented left-hander. Absorbing Choo’s contract would more likely earn the Yankees a prospect or a lesser regarded regular. Someone like Doug Fister or Jurickson Profar could tempt Cashman into paying the cash for Choo.

While Choo is drastically overpaid, he’s still a plus hitter at the plate for the Rangers. His average of .267 isn’t going to blow anyone away but he does have 11 home runs on the season. He would give Boone an excellent fourth outfielder who could also pinch hit late in games. Choo could also serve as a valuable DH against right-handed pitching.

Drury’s appeal to Texas is that he could provide an immediate upgrade over any of their infield starters. He isn’t going to emerge as an All-Star, but he can help the group become much more competitive in the short-term.

This deal would likely become a much larger transaction between the two sides, but don’t be surprised to see substantial talks occur between the Yankees and Rangers in the coming weeks.