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MLB rumors: 5 players Yankees needs to trade for

By Rucker Haringey

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 16: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals reacts after flying out to left in the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Nationals Park on May 16, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 16: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals reacts after flying out to left in the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Nationals Park on May 16, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – APRIL 17: Nicholas Castellanos #9 of the Detroit Tigers watches his fly ball against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park on April 17, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – APRIL 17: Nicholas Castellanos #9 of the Detroit Tigers watches his fly ball against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park on April 17, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

4. Nicholas Castellanos

Nicholas Castellanos figures to be one of the best bats ahead of this season’s trade deadline. The Tigers aren’t in a position to contend and the corner outfielder is in the last season of his current contract. Quite a few teams will be interested in giving him meaningful at-bats during their respective pennant races.

When the season began, the Yankees believed they had plenty of corner outfielders. Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Brett Gardner seemed prime to soak up all of the playing time at left and right field. Clint Frazier was ready to come up and fill in just in case anyone went down with an injury.

Those best-laid plans haven’t materialized as the Yankees hoped. Stanton and Judge have both missed the majority of the season due to injuries. That’s forced Gardner to play almost every day and he’s scuffling to the tune of a .193 batting average in 165 plate appearances.

Trading for Castellanos might seem like overkill to some, but the Yankees shouldn’t be prepared to trust Frazier or Gardner in tense, late-season encounters. Castellanos might prove to be a costly rental, but he also could stabilize the Yankees outfield like no one else available on the market.

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