This trade deadline season, the New York Yankees must beat the clock and get into motion. Yesterday was the greatest time to make a momentum-turning trade. The second best time is now.
Brian Cashman has been linked to a wide range of players, which makes sense given the roster’s numerous flaws. It’s possible that the Yankees will have more needs than the market can fill this summer, but it’s promising that they’re being linked to powerful infielders and swing-and-miss help in the bullpen.
There aren’t as many perfect solutions as one would like for a club that is struggling so much, but there have been a few recent rumours that might help clarify things ahead of August and the stretch run. There have also been a handful that seem out of character (or exhibit true Yankee hypocrisy).
Two good trade rumours for the Yankees, and one that is less than perfect
Love The Rumour: Jonathan India joins the Yankees.
India is “not going to be available” unless the Reds are eliminated from the postseason race this week, according to reports. The Yankees have indicated interest, however, and if a deal is not completed, it will be partially their fault. After all, the Reds are on the cusp of the Wild Card race in part because they swept the Yankees to begin July.
Aggrieved fans frequently complain that targeting contact bats is unnecessary and that the Yankees should throw more balls into the seats. While that is true, bringing in a legitimate leadoff hitter instead of the team’s present dreck (27th in MLB from that position) would be a game changer ahead of Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. India has some power (21 home runs in his Rookie of the Year season and 17 in 2023), but his OBP is where he really shines, combining a.275 average with a.377 on-base percentage this summer.
He’s a walk-taker (94th percentile) with a strong eye who never chases (99th percentile), as well as a winning ballplayer who would add some peskiness to the Yankees’ lineup. All that remains between now and the deadline is to root against the Reds.
I love this rumour: Jack Flaherty to the Yankees.
With Clarke Schmidt rumoured to return… sometime, the Yankees may not believe they need a starting pitcher, but pitching is never enough. Any trade will be more expensive in current seller’s market, but it’s easier to get a rental than it is to add a top-line arm like Garrett Crochet for several seasons.
Instead of mortgaging Spencer Jones at his lowest moment for Crochet, who may be shut down or transferred to the bullpen before the end of the summer, the Yankees should take Chris Kirschner’s advice and test two months of a resurgent Jack Flaherty for size.
There are injury concerns around Flaherty, but the 28-year-old has been mostly flawless this season (2.5 bWAR, 127 strikeouts in 100.2 innings, a penchant for paint). A two-month audition for free agency at a reasonable cost would be a significant shakeup.
Hate This Rumour: Jazz Chisholm’s “Character Concerns” Will Keep Him Away from Yankees
No way! It should be his league-average bat that keeps him away from the Yankees, not his locker room personality! Kidding. Kind of.
Chisholm is a much-hyped trade acquisition during this summer’s dead period, and he possesses far more swagger than his 103 OPS+ would suggest. He appears to be a player who can capitalize on opportunities, but he is more of a risk than a guarantee. If the Yankees could include a reliever in the trade, that might be more tempting. Robert Murray of The Baseball Insiders reiterated this week that teams had previously expressed worries about Chisholm as a teammate, although he is supposedly having a better year in that regard. It’s a reasonable issue, especially for a guy whose productivity doesn’t match his reputation, but for the Yankees to raise such concerns after harbouring Aroldis Chapman and allowing Domingo Germán to virtually smash apart their clubhouse, it feels a little excessive.
The Jameson Taillon reunion rumour may also fit perfectly here. The Yankees’ willingness to swallow $18 million for the next two years after passing on two pricey theoretical prime years of the same pitcher in the 2023 offseason doesn’t quite pass the smell test, but… if it does go down, it would be an unusual allocation of resources, even if Taillon improves.
Of course, no one wants him to go to Boston and thrive, so we’re trapped in limbo until deadline purgatory ends.
Leave a Reply