5 moves the Yankees still need to make after signing Gerrit Cole

3. Trade Clint Frazier

In a perfect world, 2020 would be the season where Frazier matures and blossoms into the quality starter that the Yankees have always hoped he would become. Unfortunately for the organization, that outcome is just a fantasy at this point in Frazier’s career. The chances of him reaching his physical potential in pinstripes are almost zero.

The good news is that Frazier can still be billed as a quality corner-outfield starter to other teams. The Yankees aren’t going to receive a massive return for him in a trade, but Cashman should be able to extract a quality piece or two from the right franchise.

New York is also in the enviable position of not needing major league ready talent to make a deal work. Swinging a Frazier deal that nets a high-impact bullpen arm is what the Yankees would prefer, but it’s much more likely they’ll be forced to accept some type of prospect package.

The key for New York will be to focus their efforts on finding a franchise that both needs Frazier to become an instant starter and is blessed with a deep, talented farm system. If the Yankees can find an organization willing to deal a top-100 prospect for “Big Red” they should do it in an instant. Getting multiple prospects with considerable upside is a deal Cashman would love.