One future Yankee on each MLB team
![NEW YORK, NY - JULY 29: General view of a wall displaying retired New York Yankees numbers which is seen during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on July 29, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Rays 5-4. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** NEW YORK, NY - JULY 29: General view of a wall displaying retired New York Yankees numbers which is seen during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on July 29, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Rays 5-4. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/44d9f4c6d29ce8023685c30a10eeb60ac60a8c09467b388d63d6f7d23e53ddda.jpg)
A return of the Evil Empire seems imminent, and it’s only a matter of time before your favorite player is wearing Yankees pinstripes.
The three truths of baseball extend beyond what happens on the diamond, and to the front office. A star player will either sign with the New York Yankees (Alex Rodriguez), get traded to them (Ichiro), or is already on the roster.
It seems the Yankees can go out and get just about any player they desire in baseball. Their farm system is healthy and stocked with some high-pedigree prospects(not to mention players that are just earning their pinstripes). They are also equipped with the deepest pockets in baseball, meaning they can pay any salary. That’s not a good combination if you’re a fan of a different team but the odds are if the Yankees want a player, they’ll get him.
This list isn’t meant to be a trade deadline list. There are plenty of those out there and likely to be a lot more before July 31st. To wit, there are many players on this list that have zero chance of being traded to the Yankees this season. This is more of a fun look at some of the names that could be wearing the famous pinstripes at some point in their careers. While every player has some baseball reasons as to why they would be a good fit, plenty of these players likely won’t play in New York during their careers. Let’s take a look at who might at some time this year or in the near future!
Arizona Diamondbacks – Archie Bradley, Relief Pitcher
The easy answer from the D-Backs is to suggest lefty starting pitcher Patrick Corbin. There has already been some scuttlebutt about the Yanks coveting the the starting pitcher and most teams probably would. He’s in the middle of a spectacular season that’s seeing career bests in ERA, WHIP, strikeout rate and he’s on track to set his new high in innings pitched. Corbin could end up in New York after the season when his contract is up but Arizona would be highly unlikely to trade him while they sit in first place in the National League West.
The Yankees have a great bullpen already but acquiring Bradley could allow them to continue to cut the game down into five inning affairs. The 25 year old righty would likely be the fourth best reliever in the Yankee bullpen and he could pitch middle relief in front of David Robertson, Dellin Betances and Aroldis Chapman. New York doesn’t have the greatest starting rotation past Luis Severino and they need one of the better bullpens in baseball to keep things moving along for them. Bradley would be able to do just that with his 2.19 ERA and 0.95 WHIP this season.
Now, this would have to be a trade made during the offseason because the logic from Corbin extends to Bradley. Arizona has no motivation to trade pieces away right now unless it was just a ridiculously good offer. Bradley is just 25 years old and under team control for the next three seasons but the Yankees have the wherewithal to go and get him if they want him.