A top MLB insider believes the New York Yankees would be major players in a historic trade that could happen before this year’s MLB trade deadline.
The New York Yankees are at a tipping point moment in their season. They enter the second half having lost four of their last five. They are eight games out in their division and a single game behind for the final Wild Card spot. There is no indication of when Aaron Judge will be back in the lineup and they have been one of the worst-hitting teams in the league all season.
Related: Baltimore Orioles have serious ‘appeal’ to Angels in possible Shohei Ohtani trade
However, they should soon have big-ticket free agent Carlos Rodon back and they still have a good enough group of talent to stay in the playoff hunt. Nevertheless, they could still use some help and a serious thump in the lineup with or without Judge. That is why many believe the team could be active again ahead of the MLB trade deadline on Aug. 1.
While there are several players that could be available and make an impact on the Yankees this season, the one everyone is looking at is Los Angeles Angles superstar Shohei Ohtani. LA is in an even worse position than NY and Ohtani is an impending free agent who has to be growing tired of the constant losing.
New York Yankees seen as most ‘motivated’ team to trade for Shohei Ohtani
The organization and its front office continue to push the narrative that they will not move the MVP candidate at the trade deadline, but if they continue to fall out of contention and the Japanese star makes it clear he does not intend to return this winter, that could lead to a paradigm shift in the team’s approach to the deadline.
If Shohei Ohtani were to become available, ESPN MLB insider Buster Olney believes the Yankees would be a serious player in the greatest trade deadline chase of all time.
“Talking with sources yesterday, they see the Yankees as potentially being the most motivated [to trade for Ohtani] because Gerrit Cole, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, they’re middle-aged players right in the prime of their careers. This is the Yankees’ window to win now.
“You bring in Ohtani and suddenly the Yankees’ rotation with him involved looks so strong. Ohtani hitting in Yankee Stadium, which favors left-handed sluggers. That’s something I’m sure the Yankees would be willing to pay for if Ohtani is made available by the Angels.”
– Buster Olney
It would take a landmark trade to get a deal done, but the New York Yankees have several major prospects on the major league roster and in their system that would surely interest the Angels. It would not be easy, but the franchise has a very long history of making win-now moves at the trade deadline.
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