BREAKING: Yankees To Make 3 early-season trades
The Yankees are on a roll, but additional support wouldn’t hurt. Yankees fans, pinch yourselves—this team is everything you dreamed of in the offseason, and perhaps even better. After dominating the San Diego Padres for the first two days of Memorial Day Weekend, the Yankees stand at 37-17, three games ahead in the AL East and excelling in every aspect of the game.
With Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and the rest of the lineup performing exceptionally well, and a rotation dominating even without Gerrit Cole, it might seem like there’s little room for improvement. However, complacency can be the biggest enemy of great teams. Recent championship-winning teams made significant trades during the season, and the Yankees should follow suit.
We’ll look at three areas the Yankees should strengthen through trades to establish themselves as the clear favorite in the AL playoff race. Remember, every player the Yankees acquire is one less player available to rivals like the Baltimore Orioles or Cleveland Guardians. It’s an arms race, and historically, the Yankees are not known for losing those.
Yankees need corner infield reinforcements
If we were to grade the Yankees’ position groups individually, the infield would be the only one so far this year that doesn’t merit an A or A+. This isn’t to say the Yankees need to worry about their current infielders day-to-day or that they lack talent. However, adding one more piece to the puzzle, especially a corner infielder, could be the key difference between falling short and winning a title.
Versatility should be emphasized here, as it would be advantageous to have someone who can start at either corner position. DJ LeMahieu could fill this role when healthy, but he hasn’t played yet this season. Jon Berti and Oswaldo Cabrera are better suited as utility men rather than everyday starters.
Some potential targets include Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies, Jake Burger from the Miami Marlins, and J.D. Davis from the Oakland Athletics, depending on performance and asking price. The goal is to find someone who offers offensive consistency and can strengthen the lineup, especially against tough pitchers, to ensure the Yankees can field their best offensive lineup.
New York can strengthen strength in the bullpen
As usual in this era of Yankees baseball, the bullpen has been outstanding. It’s reached a point where it almost doesn’t matter who wears the pinstriped uniform, as pitching coach Matt Blake and the Yankees’ advanced scouting department consistently turn them into powerhouses. Ranking second in almost every stat, trailing only Cleveland, it might seem unnecessary to tinker with the bullpen.
However, it’s noteworthy that there isn’t a clear-cut, most trusted lefty reliever for the Yankees as they head towards the stretch run. Victor Gonzalez has filled that role so far with a 2.30 ERA, but his high 5.75 FIP is concerning. Caleb Ferguson is the only other significant lefty option, but he hasn’t made much of an impact. So, why not seek out a reliable lefty reliever who can be trusted in crucial moments?
An ideal addition would be the Marlins’ Tanner Scott, a standout closer over the past two seasons who would be a valuable asset for any playoff contender. If his price is too high, other potential targets include the Athletics’ Kyle Muller or the Rockies’ Jalen Beeks. Having more proven options increases the Yankees’ confidence in tight spots as they move forward.
Yankees should add a catcher for playoff push
There’s no denying that Jose Trevino has exceeded expectations at the plate once again in 2024. Traditionally a 77 OPS+ hitter, he’s currently at 117 in 103 plate appearances this season. However, Trevino started strong in 2022 as well, only to slump in the postseason, going 1-for-22 and diminishing the Yankees’ championship odds by 3.4%, a significant impact for one player.
Currently, Trevino’s backup is rookie Austin Wells, who shows promise but has yet to prove himself as an above-average major league hitter. In the playoffs, experience behind the plate is often prioritized over hitting talent, making Wells unlikely to start more than a game or two per series in October. This situation highlights the need for a proven veteran hitter at the catching position to ease the pressure.
Enter Elias Díaz of the Rockies, a 10-year veteran who is possibly heading for his second straight All-Star appearance with a 121 OPS+ while playing the best defense of his career. Although he wouldn’t form an ideal platoon with Trevino due to both being right-handed, the 2022 Astros demonstrated that a righty-righty catching split can lead to World Series success. Díaz might be the final piece that completes the 2024 Yankees, enhancing their chances for postseason glory.