Could Pirates latest injury news make them Yankees trade savior?

The Pittsburgh Pirates suffered a devastating injury that creates a need exactly where the Yankees can step in and offer some resources… For a price

On Sunday afternoon, Oneil Cruz was involved in a play at the plate that resulted in a near-brawl between the Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates dugouts.

Cruz left the game, injured, and the initial reactions did not look good.

Unfortunately, the follow-up reports were just as bad. Cruz has a fractured left ankle, which will mean he’s headed to the IL. It also means that the Pirates might be on the search for a replacement at shortstop, depending on their believed timetable for him to resume baseball activities and eventually, a starting role.

Enter the New York Yankees, who have multiple players they would like to trade away, at least one of which could fill an immediate need for the Pirates.

Yankees and Pirates suiting up to be likely trade partners

With the emergence of rookie Anthony Volpe in Spring Training, veteran shortstop Isaiah Kiner-Falefa has been relegated to a backup role and a utilityman for the Yankees. He’s been mature in accepting the role change and has sought out opportunities to get involved — such as in centerfield — but no doubt would like a chance to start again.

Pittsburgh would be a low-pressure situation for him to re-assert himself in such a role.

Kiner-Falefa has been, defensively anyways, a solid piece to have for the Yankees. But once Harrison Bader comes back from injury, there will be fewer and fewer opportunities for IKF to see the field. Even from a utility perspective, D.J. LeMahieu is a better option in the Bronx.

For Pittsburgh, Kiner-Falefa would fill an immediate need. Cruz will be out for some time, and IKF can be their starting shortstop. Once Cruz returns, IKF can sub in at short when needed and also play a fill-in role at catcher, any infield role other than first base, and in the outfield. While New York is talent-dense, Pittsburgh will be able to find more opportunities for IKF to get in the game, even if it’s not at a consistent position day-in and day-out.

While the defense is virtually no question, IKF is an ugly 0-for-12 this year at the plate. Pittsburgh would be hoping that a smaller stage would help Kiner-Falefa regain his confidence. Maybe being allowed to grow a beard again would also help him regain some moxy.

As far as what a package might look like, the Yankees will optimistically hope it centers on Bryan Reynolds, the outfielder they’ve been after since before the season began. An IKF-for-Reynolds swap is incredibly unlikely, but maybe that’s the start of a framework for a deal. New York will aim to get Aaron Hicks offloaded in the deal, something Pittsburgh could entertain for the right price. He, like IKF, would be a rebuilding project.

Perhaps Cruz’s injury just made the Pirates a little more desperate for a shortstop and gives the Yankees the momentum they need to figure out what a deal would look like to land the All-Star outfielder.