BREAKING: Top Yankees Prospect Predicted as Trade Candidate for Pitching Help
As Gerrit Cole progresses positively in his recovery from an elbow issue that landed him on the injured list at the start of the season, the New York Yankees are considering bolstering their pitching depth for a postseason push. Even before Cole’s injury, the front office had shown interest in acquiring free agents like Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, as well as exploring a trade for Dylan Cease.
Now, with Cole’s return imminent, the Yankees are reportedly contemplating leveraging their top-ranked prospect, Everson Pereira, in potential trade negotiations to strengthen their pitching staff.
ESPN’s Dave Schoenfield discussed the Yankees’ strategy in his “early MLB 2024 trade deadline preview,” noting, “The Yankees are deep in interesting — some might say overhyped — prospects who could be traded to improve the roster, most assuredly to find some pitching help.” Schoenfield highlighted Pereira as a potential trade chip, acknowledging that while he struggled in his brief call-up last season, batting .151 with no home runs in 93 at-bats, he’s currently honing his skills in Triple-A. However, Pereira faces stiff competition from prospects like Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones, who rank higher on the Yankees’ future outfield depth chart.
New York Yankees Prospect Everson Pereira Could Be a Power Outfield Bat in the Future
Everson Pereira, currently ranked as the fifth-best player in the Yankees’ farm system, is a 23-year-old right-hander known for his impressive speed and arm strength.
Originally touted as a potential plus hitter with average power, Pereira’s profile has evolved as he has grown stronger, now focusing more on power hitting. His right-handed swing boasts exceptional bat speed and generates considerable raw power, resulting in impressive exit velocities. However, his aggressive approach at the plate leads to a high number of swing-and-misses and strikeouts.
Despite struggling during a brief stint in the majors last season, Pereira showcased his potential in the minor leagues. In 343 at-bats in High-A minor league baseball last season, he boasted a slash line of .300/.373/.548. Moreover, in 51 at-bats at the Triple-A level so far this season, he has posted a line of .216/.333/.490 with four home runs and nine RBIs.
Given Pereira’s intriguing skill set and the depth of power-hitting outfield prospects in the Yankees’ system, other MLB teams with a need for power and outfield depth might view him as an attractive acquisition target. These teams may be more inclined to invest in Pereira’s potential, seeing an opportunity for him to flourish in their organization.
The New York Yankees Might Flip Everson Pereira in a Trade to Acquire Jesus Luzardo
Schoenfield observed that the Yankees may consider trading for Jesus Luzardo from the Miami Marlins as a potential starting pitcher option, but the Marlins might insist on acquiring Jones in exchange. Despite Cole’s uncertain injury status, the Yankees were reluctant to part with Jones in trades for top-tier starters during the offseason.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Yankees, while awaiting updates on Gerrit Cole, have revisited discussions with the Chicago White Sox and submitted a new proposal for ace Dylan Cease. However, once again, the revised offer did not include highly regarded outfield prospect Spencer Jones.
Nonetheless, if the Yankees can persuade a team in need of a reliable starter that Pereira is a valuable asset worth trading for — highlighting his potential based on his minor league performance rather than his debut in the majors — they might be able to hold onto their most prized outfield prospects while significantly bolstering their pitching staff.