Right now the Yankees are in a bit of a pickle, as they’re looking to improve their infield without significantly adding to their payroll unless they’re able to move veteran starter Marcus Stroman. They also have a lackluster bench, as their backup catcher role was vacated when they acquired Fernando Cruz from the Reds, which cost them Jose Trevino. It doesn’t look like the market has a great answer for those issues, and if they roll with what they currently have, it’ll put tons of pressure on Austin Wells to stay healthy.
Ken Rosenthal noted that the Yankees were having difficulties finding a suitor for Marcus Stroman, but also added that they could perhaps swap contracts to get what they want. While there aren’t many high-priced infielders worth exploring for the Bronx Bombers, maybe they could address multiple needs on the roster with a creative deal that includes multiple players.
Yankees-Twins Address Holes on Roster With Minor Payroll Increase
The Twins owe Christian Vazquez $10 million in 2025, and with Ryan Jeffers emerging as an everyday catcher and Digeo Cartaya recently being added to the roster, they could shed the final year of his contract. With the Yankees needing someone who can backup Austin Wells, preferably a right-handed bat, Vazquez is the kind of veteran with enough experience and defensive acumen to aid a roster in need of depth.
His offense against LHP took a step back this season, but from 2022-2024, Vazquez posted a .308 wOBA and .436 SLG%, meaning just like with Jose Trevino, he’s good for the occasional home run against southpaws. The Yankees shouldn’t platoon Vazquez and Wells, rather utilizing their young Rookie of the Year finalist as an everyday option, but the catching position demands rest and depth.
Over the last three seasons, Christian Vazquez is top 10 among catchers in both Defensive Runs Saved (21) and Framing Runs (22.6), proving to be an elite defender at the position. The Yankees would benefit from having another excellent defender on their bench who can give Austin Wells a day off, but he’s not the prize player in this trade.
READ MORE: Yankees’ infield solution could be elite defender and base runner
Willi Castro has been a solid player for the Minnesota Twins in each of his two seasons there, posting a 108 wRC+ and 5.6 fWAR. His game power could improve in a ballpark such as Yankee Stadium, where he would have hit seven more home runs had he played all of his games there. A player obviously cannot play 100% of their games in one ballpark, but even to have 81 games there would certainly provide a huge advantage.
His versatility allows him to play shortstop, third base, and second base while also covering all three outfield spots, playing further into the Yankees’ versatility. With good speed, the Yankees could have Castro attempt more steals in 2025, as last season he saw his stolen base rates plummet after being caught nine times in 23 attempts versus just five times in 38 attempts the year prior.
With +1 DRS and +2 OAA at third base, his glove could play better at the hot corner, allowing the Yankees to move Jazz Chisholm back to second base. Castro is projected to have 15 home runs, 22 stolen bases, and a 100 wRC+ by Steamer, and those projections would likely improve a bit if he was traded to the Yankees due to the ballpark being better suited for his swing.
The Yankees would gladly take that in their infield, as it would give them a circular lineup with more athleticism, and they would only be on the hook for his final year of arbitration, which was settled at $6.4 million. In return, the Yankees would trade Marcus Stroman and Mark Leiter Jr., giving the Twins a backend starter and a low-cost controllable reliever to boost their pitching staff.
READ MORE: Yankees have checked in on rehabbing free agent reliever
Marcus Stroman isn’t a sexy solution for the Minnesota Twins, but given that Chris Paddack is their projected fifth starter, they may want to have someone who could eat innings at a low cost. His ability to keep the ball on the ground might play better in Minnesota, where their defense likely would betray Stroman as much as the Yankees’ did last season, as he had a league-worst -16 OAA behind him when he pitched according to Baseball Savant.
If he’s roughly as good as he was last season, his ERA would likely improve as a result of some better luck defensively, and the Twins would be happy to get a league-average starter to keep their rotation intact. They’re sending roughly $16.4 million off their roster with Vazquez and Castro, covering most of the money owed to Marcus Stroman. Furthermore, the Yankees would give the Twins Mark Leiter Jr. who has excellent strikeout rates despite his second-half struggles.
He’s set to go to arbitration, as he filed at $2.5 million and the Yankees at $2.05 million, meaning the Twins won’t be on the hook for much more money by adding him to the deal. It gives both New York and Minnesota additions in areas where they need it and are struggling to find it on the market, and perhaps it’s the kind of trade that we could see Brian Cashman pull off with just weeks remaining until pitchers and catchers report.
The Yankees would see their payroll decrease by about $2.1 million, dipping them back under the Steve Cohen threshold, and ensuring that they have some space to navigate with at the deadline. If they struggle in 2025, they won’t have to deal with losing two picks in the 2026 MLB Draft, but if they’re on a roll, they can add a player before dealing with a 100% surcharge.