Possible Yankees trade deadline targets
The Yankees are reportedly in World Series or bust mode. With Juan Soto’s contract looming over the heads of the front office after this season, postseason success is crucial. While the Yankees have been playing great baseball this season while missing pieces like Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole and young up and coming outfielder Jasson Dominguez, they look to add some pieces that can take this team over the edge, and bring the 28th championship to the Bronx. Here are some pieces that can help take this team to the next level.
Garrett Crochet – Chicago White Sox LHP
The Yankees rotation with the absence of Gerrit Cole has put a magnifying glass on every pitcher involved, and it’s evident that they need some help. Moving forward, one of the starters in the Yankee rotation will be moved to the bullpen and adding another lefty into the rotation could really help. Crochet is just what the Yankees need. Crochet leads the AL in strikeouts with 116 among all qualified starters and is second in the league only to Tyler Glasnow. With a 3.16 ERA on the White Sox, Crochet can be an amazing addition to the middle/back-end of the rotation.
Jesus Luzardo – Miami Marlins LHP
Another lefty option comes from Miami with Jesus Luzardo. Luzardo possesses great velocity on his fastball and with some coaching from Matt Blake, could be a lethal left handed starter for New York. With the Marlins looking to sell as many pieces as they can at the deadline, this could be a great pickup for New York, without having to shell out a large haul.
Michael Kopech – Chicago White Sox RHP
The Yankees could certainly use help in their bullpen no matter how good they’re performing. Kopech is an arm that without a doubt can be turned into something special from Matt Blake. The reliever excels with his fastball velocity as well as getting whiffs and strikeouts and could be an extremely valuable boost to the Yankee bullpen.
Pete Alonso – New York Mets 1B
With Rizzo heading to the IL, DJ LeMahieu not looking good at all, and Spencer Jones not progressing quickly through AA, the Yankees could use some help at the 1B corner. A power threat like Pete Alonso could be very dangerous on the Yankees and combining that with Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, the hitting could be contagious and get the very best out of Alonso.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – Toronto Blue Jays 1B
This would more than likely take a hefty haul and whether or not the Yankees deem it worthy for a player who maybe is not worth as much as his name may say is completely up in the air. The three-time All Star and Home Run Derby champion could be a huge get for the first base corner, but that again is all dependent on if the Yankees feel it’s worth it to give up a haul.
Brandon Drury – Los Angeles Angels 3B/2B/OF
With the previously mentioned injury of Rizzo and underperformance of LeMahieu, this could be a good get for New York. Drury can play in so many different spots and while he poses injury concerns, could be a very cheap get as he’s currently hitting for a .143 batting average with a .470 OPS. At the very least, he could be a decent piece of depth for a Yankees postseason run.
Josh Bell – Miami Marlins 1B
Bell could come in and fill the 1B role with Rizzo possibly out for 6 weeks. Bell would provide a solid switch hitting bat and relatively similar defense. This could be part of a possible trade package with Jesus Luzardo, and another good depth piece for the Yankee lineup.
Alex Bregman – Houston Astros 3B
Many Yankee fans would likely be outraged to bring Bregman in especially after giving up pieces for him. However, fans should put their feelings aside if they want to build a contending team. Bregman brings valuable postseason experience with Houston and can be another spark to this Yankee lineup. Fans may need to look at how much Alex Verdugo’s done for this team in order to accept this possibility.
Mason Miller – Oakland Athletics RHP
This seems more unlikely than anything else, but who knows how far Cashman’s willing to go at this point. Mason Miller and Clay Holmes would be a duo to fear in the postseason and this could take the Yankee bullpen over the edge. While it would take a haul of prospects and top prospects like Spencer Jones or Jasson Dominguez it could be what the Yankees need to set themselves apart from the rest in the postseason.