Two weeks ago, Michael Kay said he heard that the Yankees were both in on Carlos Rodon and also working on something much better. When he isn’t playing a different role on the YES broadcasts, Kay is a good journalist. He’s willing to criticize the team. He doesn’t float a lot of stray rumors like a certain New York Post columnist.
Rodon is a pretty darn big deal though. A trade for someone like Max Kepler or even Bryan Reynolds isn’t bigger than signing one of MLB’s best starters for half a decade. Who could the Yankees be trying to trade for? As Paul suggested on our YouTube show on Monday, the answer could be Fernando Tatis Jr.
The Padres brought in Xander Bogaerts to play shortstop. They have Manny Machado at third base. It’s a strange move because San Diego already had the best shortstop on the planet, Fernando Tatis Jr., on the roster. Just checkout his 2021 Statcast profile:
He’s probably the most talented player in baseball not named Shohei Ohtani. The Padres have played him in the outfield before after he returned from injury. But it’s very odd for a team to make a move blocking someone so good.
Tatis is also on a very reasonable contract. He’s 24 years old. His contract runs for 11 more seasons at just about $25 million annually. That’s pretty affordable now, but will look downright cheap in a few years.
Obviously, there are serious character and makeup concerns with Tatis. Manny Machado was pissed at him. He missed the first half of the 2022 season with an injury from a motorcycle injury. He missed the second half with a suspension for a banned substance that Tatis insisted was just to treat ringworm. Maybe the Padres are just tired of him.
Would Tatis thrive in New York? The Yankees are a professional organization. They aren’t the types to tolerate B.S. Captain Aaron Judge isn’t going to tolerate a player who doesn’t act like a professional. At first glance, Tatis seems like the type of player they avoid. At the same time, the Yankees might be a good, stable environment for a star like Tatis.
The Yankees also have the pieces to trade for him. I don’t know what the Padres want, but they are trying to win their NL West. The Yankees might be taking their sweet time to try and work out a trade. Whatever they trade, it is going to hurt a little bit. Tatis is too good to be traded for guys that you don’t mind losing. These types of trades are very hard to draw up, but here is one pro
To the Yankees:
Fernando Tatis Jr.
To the Padres:
Anthony Volpe
Jasson Dominguez
Luis Severino
Jonathan Loaisga
Clark Schmidt
The Yankees give up two top prospects, one year of a top starting pitcher, a much-needed closer for the Padres, and a solid MLB pitching piece. They get in return a 24 year-old shortstop for the next decade. It hurts, but I think I say yes if I’m the Yankees. Would you?
also not saying sign Andrus, but someone of that ilk has got to be available
I think the price is just a little to high in terms of what we give up. and the gamble on having a better character (the yankees already have one straw with Josh Donaldson, do we need two).
I agree we need a short stop or at least an upgrade at short stop but even with the good contract I am not sure at that price
maybe take a flyer on Elvis Andrus as a cheap but solid option for a year ,