3 Yankees trades to make at the MLB Winter Meetings

3) Yankees can upgrade left field by swinging a trade for Mariners outfielder Jesse Winker

Jesse Winker wasn’t much better than Hicks last season. Why make this move?

The left field situation for the Yankees is pretty wide open. Andrew Benintendi isn’t too attractive of an option. Winker may not turn heads much. But between him and Hicks, Winker would be much more likely to bounce back from a rough 2022 season.

Winker’s time with the Cincinnati Reds from 2017-2021 was somewhat overlooked. He hit .288/.385/.504. He can hit for decent power, now averaging 24 home runs per every 162 games he plays.

Playing defense is not something he does well. The Yankees would probably want to have someone on the roster as a defensive replacement. Nothing suggests Winker is about to become a Gold Glove candidate. He might even be a downgrade on defense from Hicks.

The price to acquire Winker won’t be outrageously high given that the Mariners are known to have a willingness to trade him. Plus, with his own free agency approaching after the 2023 season, he’s possibly just a rental.

Two mid-level prospects might be good enough to have Seattle shipping Winker to New York. It’s a deal worth exploring. Left fielders need to offer some sort of offense. Now that we’ve already rid the roster of Hicks, adding someone like Winker would be the next move to make.