The New York Yankees are headed toward the trade deadline with some clear needs to fill if they want to reignite hope of returning to the World Series.
After giving up their lead in the division to the Toronto Blue Jays shortly before the All-Star break, the team has seemed light in several key areas, including the rotation, bullpen and around the diamond.
“I would import a starter, some relievers, because our bullpen is taxed and some injuries. And an infielder, if possible,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman explained recently, according to Phillip Martinez of SNY. “That’s a long list.”
To try and address all of those needs, the Yankees might have to get creative and could have to trade away some big-league ready talent. That’s the expectation for CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa, who predicted Cashman would deal outfielder Trent Grisham to the Philadelphia Phillies, who would in turn send some prospects to the Minnesota Twins to bring infielder Willi Castro to the Yankees.
“The Phillies and Yankees don’t match up well for an outfielder-for-third baseman trade, which is where the Twins come in,” Axisa wrote. “Rental Grisham for rental Castro makes no sense for Minnesota. If they’re selling, they wont’ want a rental. They’ll want controllable young players, so a three-time trade in which Grisham goes to Philadelphia, Phillies prospects go to Minnesota, and Castro goes to the Yankees could be in the cards.”
On paper, this trade projection may be complicated but it does make sense for each participant. Castro would mark a significant third base upgrade over Oswald Peraza for the Yankees, as he’s slashing .257/.347/.431. And Grisham would be a defensive and offensive boost for the Phillies, who haven’t gotten much production out of the trio of Johan Rojas, Brandon Marsh and Max Kepler. Meanwhile, the Yankees can replace Grisham’s at-bats with Cody Bellinger, Jasson Dominguez and Aaron Judge in the outfield.
Though it’s convoluted, this prediction could be an effective way to turn the Yankees’ outfield surplus into a much-needed infield boost.
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