The New York Yankees have the best record in baseball so far this season at 43-20 and look like they could be headed towards another world series. They have one of the most dangerous lineups from top to bottom in all of baseball while their starting pitching and bullpen have been very reliable this season as well.
With injuries on the pitching staff and some little holes to fill on the bench, the Yankees should be big buyers at the trade deadline. Here is a look into some potential targets for the New York Yankees at the trade deadline.
Potential New York Yankees Trade Targets
Starting Pitchers:
Cole Hamels – Texas Rangers
With Texas most likely out of the playoff race already, the Rangers may be looking to trade the veteran. Hamels is towards the end of his career and could have one more magical playoff run in him. He would become the third or fourth starter on the Yankees behind Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, and CC Sabathia. The Yankees wouldn’t have to give up much to get him either considering he is towards the end of his contract and his career. The one kicker in a potential trade is the fact that Hamels has a 20 million dollar option for next season.
Madison Bumgarner – San Francisco Giants
Bumgarner has been one of the most dominate pitchers in the league for the past few years. In the regular season and the playoffs, he has put up remarkable numbers when they mattered most. The Giants made some offseason moves to try to make a push for the playoffs and possibly a run to the world series but Injuries have gotten the best of the pitching staff. Bumgarner hasn’t had the best of luck the past few seasons and the Giants may be looking to move him for some prospects for the future. However, they will be looking for a hefty load in return. If the Yankees could acquire Bumgarner at the deadline and he becomes what he once was, it would be a blessing for the Yankees.
Michael Fulmer – Detroit Tigers
Fulmer is an interesting name on the trade market. Senior VP Brain Cashman has been after Fulmer for the past couple of years and his name was rumored with the Yankees all offseason. Fulmer is only 25 years old and he has 5 years left on his deal which is huge in a potential trade. The Yankees would need to give up a load of prospects to acquire Fulmer from the Tigers but that could be a possibility because of his contract and his potential. Fulmer would be a key piece for now and the future. If the Yankees were to acquire him at the deadline, it could be worth the price tag that the Tigers place on him if they are willing to part ways.
Chris Archer – Tampa Bay Rays
Archer has been swirling around trade rumors for the past two years with the Rays looking to unload bigger contracts and older players for the future. He has been on the Rays for six years and has been a stellar pitcher but does not get the run support he needs for his career record to benefit. Archer is a American League East style pitcher so coming to the Yankees would be nothing new for him. The Rays ace can be a dominate pitcher and in the right situation, he could thrive. If the Yankees could acquire Archer, he would come in and be one of the top pitchers on the staff. This would be a huge addition in making a run for another World Series Title.
J.A. Happ – Toronto Blue Jays
The Veteran Happ is an interesting name the Yankees could be chasing for a starting pitcher. Happ is a left handed pitcher but he’s not a big name guy. He would most likely fill the role that Jordan Montgomery has with the Yankees as their fifth starter and could be a weapon as a starter or out of the bullpen in the playoffs. Happ is in the American League East with Toronto so he is familiar with the teams. Perhaps, Happ is considered a secondary pitcher on the market but could be a possibility if the Yankees don’t want to go deep into their farm system.
Bullpen Additions:
Pat Neshek – Philadelphia Phillies
Neshek is one of the top setup pitchers in the league and he is on a reasonable contract. The Yankees were linked to Neshek last season at the trade deadline but the asking price was to steep for the Yankees. New York already has a dominate bullpen after stacking up last season. Tommy Kahnle has been dealing with injuries this season leading to him becoming very inconsistent. The Yankees could be looking for another arm in the bullpen and Neshek could be a gem on the trade market if the asking price isn’t too high.
Brad Hand – San Diego Padres
Hand is another relief pitcher that should be traded at the deadline this season. The lefty has dominated against both sides of the plate and is an Andrew Miller type of pitcher who can pitch multiple innings. Hand is another pitcher who is on a reasonable contract with potentially three and a half years remaining becuase of his option on the third year. Chasen Shreve is the only lefty in the Yankee pen and Hand would be a significant upgrade.
Positional Players:
Joey Votto – Cincinnati Reds
Votto is wasting his talents in Cincinnati with the years and years of losing they have encured. The Yankees really don’t need any position players but with the injury history to Greg Bird, New York would love to have a backup in case he goes down again. Votto could be a bench player and DH every now and then to add more power to the lineup. His expierence would also help assist the younger players. Votto has proven himself in the major leagues in his career and would be an amazing addition to the Yankees with his veteran presence and his play on the field.
James McCann – Detroit Tigers
The Tigers are going through a rebuild and most likely won’t be competitive in the next three-to-four years and veterans on the team will be on the move come the trade deadline. McCann isn’t a catcher whose going to blow you away with his numbers but he is solid defensively and can put the ball in play. The Yankees have their franchise catcher in Gary Sanchez and a very good backup in Austin Romine. Sanchez has started this season struggling mightly batting under .200 leading Romine getting more playing time. Romine has filled in well during the opportunities he has been given but it’s hard to say if his production will remain consistent. McCann could be an option if the Yankees looked to trade Romine since he’s having the best year of his career to get something of high level or if they think Sanchez may need a DL stint.
Jed Lowrie – Oakland Athletics
Lowrie could be an option for the Yankees as someone who can play any position in the field. The Yankees have their positions set but could look to upgrade their bench in efforts for the postseason. Lowrie is on the last year of his deal and the Athletics are still rebuilding. The 34-year-old isn’t in Oakland’s plans for the future so they should look at trading him for a piece or two for the future. Lowrie could be the guy that the Yankees are looking for on their bench with his bat and glove providing above average offence and defence.
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