Juan Soto? Cody Bellinger? Here are some trade deadline targets for the Yankees
NEW YORK – In this “Let’s Make a Deal’’ window around baseball, the Yankees owe it to their fans and their two biggest stars to improve the club toward a playoff push.
There is no point in allowing another year of the prime of Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge to pass without adding upgrades to a team that needs a boost before Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline.
And that means landing a potential impact outfield bat, and perhaps another proven veteran reliever and/or a catcher on an expiring contract.
“I know it’s an arduous time for the front office and working through so many different scenarios,’’ said Yankees manager Aaron Boone, whose current focus is “to keep it simple in our clubhouse.’’
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Speaking on Wednesday afternoon, Boone said that he finds this to be “an exciting time,’’ with the speculation about deals floating around.
And as things potentially become more reality based, “that’s where I get a little more involved,’’ said Boone.
Getting the reigning MVP Judge back in the lineup soon, along with injured starter Nestor Cortes and reliever Jonathan Loaisiga, is not enough. Here are five players the Yankees might target in the coming days:
Cody Bellinger
If the Chicago Cubs are willing to move him, the lefty-swinging power hitter could be an ideal fit in pinstripes.
Not only does Bellinger have a built-for-Yankee Stadium swing, but the former NL MVP with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2019) is an above average outfielder who can handle all three spots.
He can also play some first base. And his father, Clay, played a utility role on the 1999 and 2000 world champion Yankees.
Bellinger, 28, signed for $17.5 million this year, which includes a $5 million buyout of an option for 2024.
Currently, Bellinger’s stock is soaring – increasing any potential price tag.
Entering Wednesday, Bellinger was batting .429 (33-for-77) in July (20 games), with seven homers, 23 RBI and a 1.200 OPS.
While you've got the Cubs on the phone, it's due diligence to also inquire about veteran catcher Yan Gomes.
Dylan Carlson
The switch-hitting outfielder, a plus defender, has had a subpar offensive season, and now his playing time could be reduced with Tyler O’Neill’s return from the injury list.
On the disappointing St. Louis Cardinals, Carlson, 24, is among a list of players drawing trade interest.
The third-place finisher for the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year award, Carlson has three additional of control years.
O’Neill and reliever Jordan Hicks would interest the Yankees if St. Louis makes them available.
Last year at this time, these teams got together for a surprising last-minute trade, with the Yanks swapping starter Jordan Montgomery (on the trade block again) for center fielder Harrison Bader.
Juan Soto
Assuming Shohei Ohtani stays in Anaheim, Soto could potentially be the biggest name moved at the deadline.
That’s if the underachieving Padres are even willing to deal him.
San Diego acquired the lefty-hitting slugger at last summer’s deadline in a major deal with the Washington Nationals. Soto, 24, is also under team control through 2024.
With a .917 OPS, 20 homers and 61 RBI over his first 102 games this year, it would take another massive trade package to get Soto, with multiple prospects (Jasson Dominguez, plus) just to start a conversation.
But you have to at least inquire.
Jeimer Candelario
Do the Yankees have any real motivation for adding a switch-hitting third baseman as a summer rental?
That might require answering some additional questions.
Did the Yankees improve their lineup by already trading for that much needed left fielder?
Are they serious about dealing Gleyber Torres, or is Oswald Peraza being packaged in a deal?
On an expiring contract, Candelario, 29, has an .820 OPS with 16 homers and 51 RBI and is one of the last-place Washington Nationals prime trade chips.
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Brooks Raley
It’ll be interesting to see how the disappointing Mets operate over the next few days, and they have several players who might interest their crosstown rivals.
Raley has been through the wars with the Astros and Rays, and the Yanks could use a battle-tested lefty reliever.
They could also use a catcher like Omar Narvaez, an outfielder like Tommy Pham, a patient hitter like Mark Canha, and what’s the price on trusty reliever and old pal David Robertson?
Yankees GM Brian Cashman has never hesitated about dealing with his rivals, the Red Sox and Mets.
Those occasions have been rare, but here's a time to get Cashman's former assistant, Mets GM Billy Eppler, on the line.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees trade rumors: Targets to know ahead of MLB deadline
