A new report suggests the New York Yankees are a team with the means and needs to make a bold trade for one of the best young stars in the National League.
NY Yankees fans will universally agree that this offseason has been one of the most disappointing the club has had in a long time. The franchise is known for making bold moves in the offseason, and did so the previous two when they made a big trade for Juan Soto and signed Max Fried to a massive deal. However, this time offseason has been the opposite.
Just a couple of weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting to camp, the NY Yankees have made no impact additions. The only moves of note they have made are retaining the services of outfielders Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger. So, despite some of their top rivals making notable additions to improve their rosters, the Pinstripes will return with the same group that was decisively beaten by the Toronto Blue Jays in the Divisional Series.
Yet, there is still hope, and there are still some high-impact players that could be moved before spring training or the new season starts. It is something The Athletic’s Jim Bowden delved into this week. One of the legitimate All-Star-level players he feels could be traded in the coming weeks is Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams. And he lists the Yanks as one of the “solid potential trade partners.”
Should the NY Yankees target a CJ Abrams trade?
“The Nationals are not shopping Abrams, but they are listening, and they will have to consider a trade if they can move him for a huge package, as they received for trading MacKenzie Gore to the Texas Rangers,” Bowden wrote.
“However, unlike in the Gore trade, if they deal Abrams, they will need either major-league-ready players back or prospects in the upper levels who are close to the show.”
Abrams would be a great addition for the NY Yankees and a major upgrade over Anthony Volpe. The one-time All-Star is only 25 and is under team control for three more seasons. While there are areas of his game he can improve, he is still a player who can hit 20 homers and steal 30 bases in an average year.
Furthermore, the NY Yankees can offer the Nationals some worthwhile players back in return. Obviously, if Washington still sees potential in one-time top prospect Volpe, he could be added to a trade. Another former top prospect, Jasson Dominguez, could be added to the trade package as well. Both are young and MLB-ready.
New York could also offer 2024 Rookie of the Year Luis Gil. Plus, if the Nats are willing to take on the final year of his contract, Jazz Chisholm Jr. can be included in a trade, and Volpe would be moved over to second base in 2026.
