BREAKING: Yankees manager Intriguing MLB Baseman for massive agreement
Despite a recent 3-7 slump in their last 10 games, the New York Yankees maintain their status as one of baseball’s top teams with a 52-28 record. However, with the July 30 trade deadline approaching, the Yankees need to address an issue at first base, especially with Anthony Rizzo sidelined. One potential solution could be Chicago White Sox first baseman Andrew Vaughn.
On June 22, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand discussed 13 top trade candidates and their potential fits. He highlighted Vaughn as a possible match for three teams: the Yankees, the Houston Astros, and the Seattle Mariners.
“Unlike [Paul] DeJong, Vaughn isn’t set to become a free agent this offseason, so the White Sox might hesitate to trade the 26-year-old,” Feinsand noted. “However, Vaughn could be a valuable trade asset as he’s earning $3.25 million this season and will be arbitration-eligible for two more years after 2024.”
Vaughn’s .681 OPS through 297 plate appearances is lower than his career .735 mark, but he recently set career highs in home runs (21) and RBI (80) in 2023.
Vaughn Has Recently Turned His Season Around
The White Sox weren’t expected to be postseason contenders in 2024, and they solidified this expectation with a dismal 3-21 start to the season. This positions them as sellers at the trade deadline, with several intriguing players potentially available. Alongside Andrew Vaughn, Garrett Crochet and Luis Robert Jr. are also subjects of trade rumors.
Vaughn struggled significantly at the plate early in the season. In his first 34 games (137 plate appearances), the right-handed batter posted a .183/.241/.230 slash line with six doubles, seven RBIs, and seven runs scored. However, he found his form in the subsequent 38 games, hitting .293/.338/.520 with nine homers, 28 RBIs, and 19 runs scored over 160 plate appearances.
Whether Chicago will seriously consider trading Vaughn in the coming weeks remains uncertain, largely due to his current contract status. As Mark Feinsand pointed out, Vaughn is earning $3.25 million in 2024 and is under team control through 2026. White Sox general manager Chris Getz took his time securing the desired return in a Dylan Cease trade during the winter. According to The Athletic, opposing teams also believe Chicago is not in a hurry to trade Robert, who is under contract for several more years.
Acquiring Vaughn Could Be Huge for the Yankees in 2024 & Beyond
It’s quite possible that Vaughn remains with the White Sox until the winter. However, it would be prudent for Yankees general manager Brian Cashman to attempt to acquire him before the trade deadline.
With Anthony Rizzo expected to miss about two months due to a fractured forearm, and considering his lackluster .630 OPS even before the injury, there are already rumors about him being replaced through a trade. This injury and his performance make it unlikely that New York will exercise his $17 million club option for 2025, meaning the Yankees will likely need an established first baseman.
New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso has been mentioned as a potential option, but this doesn’t align with Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner’s goal of reducing the payroll below $300 million. Acquiring Vaughn could address several needs for the Yankees. He would provide an offensive boost for 2024 and serve as an inexpensive option moving forward, giving the Yankees more financial flexibility in their anticipated pursuit of Juan Soto.
Vaughn fits many of the criteria the Yankees are looking for right now. The key questions are how interested the Yankees are and whether the White Sox are willing to make him available.