Potential Trade Targets For The New York Yankees

This season in Major League Baseball has been unlike any other season, in that there are so many teams “tanking” or rebuilding. There have also been teams that set out to compete this season and have just not played well. With that in mind, we will look at teams in MLB, and some of their player’s the New York Yankees could potentially be looking at as trade targets. This list is an updated listing from a list we covered earlier in the season. The piece was entitled “Trade Bait: The Deadline Options For The Yankees.”

Baltimore Orioles– Zach Britton

The Orioles were a team that set out to compete this season. However, they struggled out of the gate and have never been able to recover. Leading to the trading away franchise star Manny Machado to the Los Angeles Dodgers. So Baltimore can make another move and trade away closer Zach Britton. While trading in the division can sometimes be more costly the Yankees have the prospect depth to whether that potential storm. Adding Britton to arguably already baseball’s best bullpen will just strengthen it. With the lack of top-flight starters in the current market, the Yankees may choose to fortify an area of strength.

Chicago White Sox– Joakim Soria/ Xavier Cedeño

The Chicago White Sox are a club that was known to be rebuilding coming into the season. With that in mind, however, they do still have some veterans on their roster that possess some value. Pitchers Joakim Soria and Xavier Cedeño can again help strengthen the Yankees bullpen. Allowing starters outings to be shortened and help preserve them for the playoff stretch run.

Detroit Tigers– Blaine Hardy/ Alex Wilson

Much like the Chicago White Sox, not much was expected of the Detroit Tigers. So looking at the roster for potential trade targets two relief pitchers stand out. Blaine Hardy and Alex Wilson have some value and again help further strengthen a Yankee strength.

Oakland Athletics– Ryan Buchter/ Blake Treinen

Year after year, the Oakland A’s seemingly trade away all their assets. And this season could very well end up being the same scenario. If Oakland’s GM Billy Beane decides to make such moves the players the Yankees will more than likely target will be Ryan Butcher and Blake Treinen. These two relievers have been highly effective for Oakland. And again with the lack of quality in the starting pitching market, adding to the relief core can help the Yankees in the stretch run.

Miami Marlins– Kyle Barraclough/ Adam Conley

The Miami Marlins like many teams on this list were not projected to play well this season. And they have lived up to the expectation in spades. But even with less than stellar expectations some of their pitchers have pitched well, namely Kyle Barraclough and Adam Conley. Barraclough has come out of the bullpen to pitch to a 1.28 ERA in 42.1 innings with 47 strikeouts. While Adam Conley has a record of 3-1 with a 2.88 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 25 innings. Both pitchers could provide the Yankees with reliable innings down the stretch.

New York Mets– Seth Lugo/ Steven Matz/ Zack Wheeler

The New York Mets are unlikely to deal with the Yankees out of a city/sibling rivalry. However, the Yankees could offer one of the better packages they would receive. And while everyone in the Yankee Universe is calling for Jacob deGrom or Noah Syndergaard those players are highly unlikely to be dealt. The more likely trade targets are Seth Lugo, Steven Matz, and Zack Wheeler. All three men have started for the Mets and could slot into the back of the Yankees rotation as well. If the Mets are willing to make moves the Yankees could potentially take full advantage.

Washington Nationals– Sean Doolittle/ Gio Gonzalez/ Kelvin Herrera/ Bryce Harper

Now I understand that the Washington Nationals still have a chance to come back in the second half and take hold of the NL East. Which was at one point the “Unexpected Toughest Division In Baseball.” However, if they remain in third place in the NL East and five or more spots in back of the second NL Wildcard the Nats should consider retooling. it’s not to say completely rebuild but to pivot and look to 2019. Moving the players with some real value could help them be stronger contenders in 2019. And also give themselves a better chance at resigning Bryce Harper. If Bryce sees that they are building for a better tomorrow he may be more interested in remaining a National.

Cincinnati Reds– Jared Hughes/ Raisel Iglesias/ Michael Lorenzen

The Reds have struggled as a team all season, but some of their players can bring back some real future value. Pitchers like Hughes, Iglesias, and Lorenzen can each bring Cincy back some true top-level prospects. Cincinnati is clearly a rebuilding team and therefore need to find a way to maximize the trade assets they have. Trading with the Bronx Bombers and their wealth of prospects can help expedite that process.

St. Louis Cardinals– Brett Cecil/ Bud Norris

The St. Louis Cardinals much like the Washington Nationals have found themselves in the rare position of third in their division. And because of that third place position, due to struggles throughout the first half of the season, a change was made. Manager Mike Matheny was fired. The Cardinals through their many years of success have now found their farm system as a mid-level farm. However, they can regenerate some potential impact prospects by deciding to trade away some of their big league talent.

San Diego Padres– Robbie Erlin/ Matt Strahm/ Kirby Yates

Although the Padres signed Eric Hosmer this offseason, that move was viewed as a move for the future. And as expected the Padres are residing at the bottom of the NL West. The Padres have already traded Brad Hand and Adam Cimber to the Cleveland Indians. And they can continue their farm system ascension by trading Erlin, Strahm, and Yates.

San Francisco Giants– Sam Dyson/ Mark Melancon/ Will Smith/ Tony Watson

The San Francisco Giants are still very much in the battle for a playoff spot, and their spots as a seller is unlikely at the deadline. However, if they decided to pivot and begin to trade assets, they have quite a few valuable players. Like the Mets, it is highly unlikely that the Giants would trade away their two aces in Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto. But beyond those two the Giants have several relievers that could be extremely effective for a contender.