The New York Yankees are one of the top teams in the MLB standings through 70 games, but they face long odds of winning a World Series. With the American League providing a tight MLB playoff race, the Yankees will need to make moves this summer to come out on top.
Injuries are certainly a part of the team’s problem this year. Frankie Montas and Carlos Rodón haven’t pitched all season, Aaron Judge is on the injured list for the second time and New York’s depth is draining rapidly.
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With the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles atop the division and the Toronto Blue Jays providing tough competition, trades are the only way for New York to improve this year.
Let’s examine four potential New York Yankees trade targets this summer.
Jeimer Candelario, third baseman, Washington Nationals
When play began on June 16, the Yankees’ third basemen ranked 23rd in OPS (.671), 24th in FanGraphs’ Wins Above Replacement and 25th in fWAR (85). For a team that is often carried by injury-prone starts, New York must find ways to create a more well-rounded lineup.
Jeimer Candelario is in the midst of a breakout season in Washington. He ranks fifth in fWAR (1.8), ranks 12th in OBS (.760) and is tied for seventh in Defensive Runs Saved (3). While he isn’t a high-end starter at the hot corner, Candelario’s affordability means he could be one of several additions made by New York.
- New York Yankees trade: Clayton Beeter, Elijah Dunham, Sean Boyle
- Washington Nationals trade: Jeiemer Candelario
Without sacrificing any of their top-10 prospects, New York replaces Josh Donaldson at third base with a better alternative. Plus, third base remains open long-term with Candelario’s contract expiring at the conclusion of the 2023 season.
Yasmani Grandal, catcher, Chicago White Sox
If evaluating the Yankees’ catchers purely on defense, this team is doing fine. Kyle Higashioka ranks 14th in Catcher Framing Runs and Jose Trevino is excellent defensively. However, New York’s catchers rank 20th in wRC+ (98) and 23rd in wOBA (.310) this season.
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- New York Yankees acquire: Yasmani Grandal
- Chicago White Sox acquire: Luis Gil
Yasmani Grandal is an ideal complement to the defensive platoon. The 34-year-old catcher isn’t reliable behind the plate (-1 Catcher Framing Runs), but he carries a 106 wRC+ and .324 wOBA through 206 plate appearances this season. Plus, there’s no long-term commitment and he would only be owed $8 million for the remainder of the year.
In this deal, the Yankees part ways with 25-year-old righty Luis Gil. Currently on the 60-day injured list, Gil is no longer a top-20 prospect in New York’s farm system after undergoing Tommy John surgery. However, he could be a buy-low target for the Chicago White Sox as they look to offload rental players this summer.
Tommy Edman, St. Louis Cardinals
Tommy Edman isn’t as popular of a trade target for the New York Yankees as Tyler O’Neill, but he’s intriguing for his own reasons. New York needs versatility and depth in the outfield, attributes that Edman offers and that’s not including his work on the infield
- New York Yankees trade: Clarke Schmidt, Antonio Gomez, Will Warren, Chase Hampton
- St. Louis Cardinals trade: Tommy Edman
Edman played solid defense just about everywhere last season, playing both the middle infield and outfield for St. Louis. He finished in the 100th percentile for Outs Above Average and was credited with 17 Defensive Runs Saved across 1,800 innings. With 150-plus innings at second base, shortstop and in the outfield, Edman’s versatility would be a weapon for Aaron Boone.
The switch-hitter won’t provide a lot at the plate – 42nd percentile average exit velocity, 90 wRC+, but he’s an above-average regular. New York could use him at shortstop if Anthony Volpe keeps struggling or deploy him all over the field as a Swiss Army knife.
Lucas Giolito, starting pitcher, Chicago White Sox
The New York Yankees rotation would be outstanding if injuries didn’t exist, but it’s always been a problem. Montas will soon begin a throwing program and Rodón is on a rehab assignment, but New York can’t bet on these two high-end starters to stay healthy through October.
- New York Yankees receive: Lucas Giolito
- Chicago White Sox receive: Brandon Mayea, Roderick Arias
New York can target rental pitchers, since it dramatically lowers the acquisition cost. Lucas Giolito has recovered from a bad 2022 campaign (4.90 ERA), posting a 3.54 ERA through 81.1 innings this year. Turning 29 in July, the 6-foot-6 righty does a solid job keeping the ball in the yard. He can function as the No. 2 starter until Rodón returns then be a fixture in the Yankees’ playoff rotation. Most importantly for Hal Steinbrenner, there are no long-term financial commitments.
