3 big names on the trade block Yankees should target

2. John Means

Acquiring the ace of the Orioles pitching staff may not win any press conferences in the Bronx, but a subtle acquisition of Means could fortify things behind Gerrit Cole in Boone’s starting rotation.

Means, 28, is too old to be a part of Baltimore’s next contender but is still young enough to have several years of prime production remaining in his left arm. That’s why this offseason is the perfect time for the Orioles to trade him to a potential title contender.

Baltimore might prefer to ship him outside of their own division, but their front office should be looking for the maximum return no matter what team offers it. If the Yankees are willing to part with a premium prospect then it should be enough to assuage any concerns the Orioles have about leaving Means in the AL East.

Means doesn’t profile as a potential ace for the Yankees, but he would give them a quality No. 3 starter to slot into next year’s rotation. That isn’t the stuff offseason dreams are made of but it’s just the sort of trade that could help New York enter the postseason with a division title instead of a Wild Card berth.