Many fans and analysts believe the New York Yankees should exercise a blockbuster trade for Washington Nationals superstar Juan Soto. However, the team needs far more than just a singular outfielder to improve their World Series chances.
Soto would provide unbelievable offensive value, but the Yankees’ primary issue has been starting pitching during the postseason the past few years. Finding another quality starter to pair with Gerrit Cole is what the Yankees need. Soto would undoubtedly be a monster acquisition but he wouldn’t smooth over several positions dealing with fatigue at the midway point in the season.
How the Yankees can have the perfect trade deadline:
1.) SP Luis Castillo
The Yankees will have to give up 5–6 of their top prospects to acquire Soto, but Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo would likely require Oswald Peraza and a few other decent prospects.
Castillo is a legitimate ace who would slot in right behind Gerrit Cole. That’s a tantalizing duo for the postseason. At 29 years old, he has another year of team control, set to become a free agent in 2024. He currently hosts a 2.77 ERA over 78 innings this season. With three seasons pitching over 169 innings, he has plenty of experience with heavy usage, a major benefit for the Yankees.
Castillo hosts a 75.3% left on base rate, 48.5% ground ball rate, and an impressively low 7.7% HR/FB ratio. Featuring a 97 mph fastball split up between a 4-seam and sinker, he’s exactly the type of starting pitcher Matt Blake would love to have in the rotation.
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2.) OF Andrew Benintendi
Despite concerns about Andrew Benintendi’s vaccination status, Mark Feinsand reported that the Yankees were “serious contenders” for the outfielder. The 28-year-old left fielder is hitting .318 this season with a 39% on base rate and .400 slugging percentage. He features a 10.5% walk rate and 13.7% strikeout rate.
Benintendi is about an average outfielder but offers tremendous value in the batter’s box. His ability to get on base and come up big in high-level situation is extremely enticing. Considering he’s a half-year rental before becoming a free agent, the Yankees won’t have to break the bank for him.
3.) RHP Anthony Bass
With Michael King suffering a fractured right elbow, the Yankees need to make a bullpen move. 34 year old rental Anthony Bass stands out as a potential fit. The Yankees and Miami Marlins have had success executing trades in the past. Bass is having a fantastic season over 40.2 innings.
Bass hosts a 1.33 ERA with 8.85 strikeouts per nine, an 82% left on base rate, and a 38% ground ball rate. His 2.3% HR/FB ratio is fantastic, utilizing a fastball, slider, and split-finger fastball. He throws his sinker 26.9% of the time, primarily known to be a sinker/slider relief arm.
Overall, the Yankees would be trading for two rentals, meaning they won’t be overly costly to acquire. The big get is Castillo, who immediately improves the starting rotation.
While Soto remains an extremely attractive trade target, Yankees are able to kill three birds with one stone at the trade deadline instead of selling the farm for a singular player.