5 big trades the Yankees can make to become World Series favorites

Brian Cashman knows he needs to add major talent this winter to end the Yankees’ World Series drought. That could lead to a big trade in the Bronx. 

It’s been entirely too long since the Yankees have celebrated a World Series title with a parade down the Canyon of Heroes. If Brian Cashman and his front office are going to help the franchise break that streak in 2020, it might require a blockbuster trade or two.

Swinging a big deal isn’t going to be easy for the Yankees. They don’t want to gut their farm system or take on a massive salary. That doesn’t mean they won’t be willing to part with some talent and spend some major cash if they have a chance to add the right player.

The following five trades are just the kind of deals the Yankees will be looking for once the Hot Stove really heats up. We start with a potential replacement for Didi Gregorius at shortstop.

5. Jorge Polanco

Polanco wasn’t able to help the Twins defeat the Yankees in the playoffs, but he’s quickly becoming one of MLB’s best shortstops. If New York’s front office decides they need to move on from Gregorius this winter, they will absolutely explore trades for a number of talented replacements.

Prying Polanco away from Minnesota will require the Yankees to sacrifice serious talent. 26-year-old shortstops coming off a season where they hit for a batting average of .296 with 22 home runs don’t often come available.

His contract status will also work in the Twins’ favor. He’s locked up with a long-term deal that carries him through the 2025 season. The most he’s ever slated to make is a very reasonable sum of $12 million.

The one thing more valuable to Minnesota than a high-quality young shortstop would be an above-average starting pitcher. That’s why Domingo German would have to serve as the centerpiece of any deal. He wouldn’t be enough to get the deal done by himself, but packaging German with some high-quality prospects might be enough to tempt the Twins.