It looks like the Yankees have finally decided to sell. I’m not going to try to come up with trade proposals, but let’s run through the teams reportedly interested in buying and see if the any of the Yankee sell targets might interest them. I’m going to exclude the AL East teams for obvious reasons, although damn, Alex Verdugo would make a great Yankee.
San Diego Padres
I’m a little bit surprised that the Padres are in buy mode, but who am I to judge. They are reportedly interested in Eduardo Rodriguez, who is signed beyond this year. They could also use a DH or center fielder.
If they wanted a rental, I think Harrison Bader would be a pretty big upgrade for them over Trent Grisham. That said, the Padres have a 35% chance of making the playoffs according to Fangraphs, and even that assumes a big turnaround for their underperforming team. My guess is they are building for 2024. Maybe they would be interested in Domingo German.
If he had pulled out if his slump, I might suggest Anthony Rizzo to help them not have to DH a catcher, but I’m not sure anyone would take Rizzo right now.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers have the worst starting pitching in baseball right now. I’d bet that Domingo German or even Luis Severino would perk up their ears a bit. Their lineup is too good to go into the playoffs with such bad starting pitching. They traded for Lance Lynn and his 6.47 ERA.
They’ve also been awful at shortstop, with Miguel Rojas hitting .218/.274/.263. I’m not sure if anyone sees Kiner Falefa as a shortstop, but he might actually be a big improvement for their team. Maybe they go crazy and try Gleyber Torres there, or even go rogue and work out some deal involving Oswald Peraza, Harrison Bader and James Outman. They like to take big swings, so maybe the Dodgers are a good last minute Yankee trade partner.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers are now in competitive race with the Cubs. They’ve made sense as a Yankee trade partner since the offseason, as they are short on infielders. Their window is also rapidly closing, with a bunch of free agents coming after next season.
Gleyber Torres would make a great Brewer. Their second baseman Brian Turang is hitting .206/.276/.312. Their center fielder Joey Wiemer has been even worse, so maybe Harrison Bader would be useful to them. I wonder if there’s a bank shot trade that lands Sal Fredrick in New York, but that might be asking too much.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs are the anti-Yankees, turning around a disappointing trade deadline and moving from hard sellers to big buyers. They’ve been playing Mike Tauchman a lot in center, so maybe they would be interested in Bader. Or maybe a Rizzo reunion? I think the most likely Yankees-Cubs trade probably involves relief pitching.
Cincinatti Reds
The Reds have some of the worst starting pitching among contenders. German and maybe Severino have to be tempting for them. Their lineup is pretty good, so I don’t think we’ll see Torres or Bader head to Ohio. Maybe they would be interested in Kyle Higashioka as an upgrade over Tyler Stephenson’s poor defense? Unlikely trade partner in my book
Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona has slumped lately, but they are still in the Wild Card race. Harrison Bader would be a big upgrade over Alek Thomas in center. They could probably use a starting pitcher. No room for Gleyber Torres. My guess is they mostly stand pat at the deadline, aiming for 2024.
San Francisco Giants
The Yankees look pretty stupid for not signing Michael Conforto to a short term deal, don’t they? The Giants desperately need a second baseman and center fielder. Put them in the Torres/Bader basket.
Miami Marlins
We’ve heard that the Marlins are interested in Gleyber Torres, but they have Luis Arraez at second. I guess Torres would play short? Or Arraez would move to third? It honestly doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. That said, DJ LeMahieu would give them an upgrade at third. Maybe even IKF at short. This one is a bit puzzling to me.
Philadelphia Phillies
I don’t see much of a match here, unless they want to replace Jake Cave with Harrison Bader.
Texas Rangers and Houston Astros
Nothing here really.
Edit: Minnesota Twins
I forgot about the Twins, but they are reportedly interested in a right-handed bat. The Yankees have right-handed bats! The Twins are set at second base, but Harrison Bader would be a pretty big upgrade.
Bottom line
If the Yankees want to trade Harrison Bader and Gleyber Torres, there are plenty of teams out there that would be much better off with either. I’m sure Domingo German could also find a home. I wish the Yankees had more time to work out deals for guys like Rizzo and LeMahieu, but late is better than never. See you all on the Bronx Beat Podcast tonight.