The Yankees need to acquire more talent for the pitching rotation. There are lots of options out there, but teams need to make sure that they are getting players to help them in the long run. New York has great depth at many positions that other teams may take a look at during trade talks.
1. OF Clint Frazier
If you follow the Yankees pretty consistently, then you had to know that he was going to be on this list. Clint Frazier is a player that many view as someone ready to take over a permanent role in the outfield. Unfortunately for him, it doesn’t seem like that will be with the Yankees. Many scenarios could result in him becoming an everyday player for New York. However, most of them are very unlikely at this point in time. Frazier is a great hitter with very fast hands. He can pull a 100 mile per hour fastball and has shown it. He’s also an up and coming fielder with loads of potential out there. Frazier’s a hard worker, and all he wants is to be given a chance. Teams are definitely going to be interested in him when the trade deadline comes around.Â
2. INF/OF Miguel Andujar
Like Frazier, if you follow the Yankees, you probably knew this was coming too. Andujar is a player that has just gotten unlucky. His whole MLB career has been about finishing second. In 2018, he was on a tear offensively and ended up becoming the runner-up for Rookie of the Year behind Shohei Ohtani. Then in 2019, Yankee fans had high hopes for the youngster after a phenomenal first year. Unfortunately, very early into the season, he went down with a shoulder injury and had season-ending surgery.
Then out of nowhere, Gio Urshela came in and was incredible offensively and defensively. It was crazy how good he was. He ended taking Andujar’s spot in the lineup in 2020, and Miguel finished second once again. However, he is really showing how versatile he can be and is trying to find new ways to contribute to the team. He has started taking reps in the outfield and has been pretty good out there. Teams love when a player can be so versatile, and he might be a HUGE trade piece for the Yankees.Â
3. RHP Jonathan Loaisiga
This one is a little different from the others. No one has put Jonathan Loaisiga as a potential trade piece. However, I don’t think it’s that crazy to say. Loaisiga has excellent pitches in his arsenal, and I think he will one day become one of the better relievers in the MLB.
The Yankees have been utilizing Loaisiga in their bullpen for the last two years or so and seem high on the right-hander as well. However, I think the Yankees could be using him to get some “win now†talent. He has many skills that scouts go crazy over and has a really high-velocity fastball for someone this young. Aaron Boone seems to like him a lot and trusts him in big situations. But, I think Brian Cashman could have other ideas. Again, I haven’t seen anything that would give me a hint of this happening, but look at this as a surprise trade piece. You never know what Mr. Cashman is thinking.Â
These players have all affected the Yankees one way or another over their short MLB careers. They all have great potential but are stuck behind a very talented team. The Yankees have other holes to fill and will definitely look at some of these players when trying to fill them. Look out for these BIG names in trade talks this year.Â