With the trade deadline just around the corner, the New York Yankees have widespread needs and are expected to be aggressive. General Manager Brian Cashman has been scouring the market for weeks now, yet the team hasn’t made any substantial moves despite their desperate need for reinforcements.
Yankees’ Trade Deadline Strategy: A Delicate Balance of Risk and Reward
The front office has been linked to Chicago White Sox ace Garrett Crochet in recent days. However, acquiring him would require the Yankees to relinquish one of their top outfield prospects to move the needle. In fact, former MLB General Manager Jim Bowden believes the Yankees would need to give up Jasson Dominguez and several other quality prospects to secure a deal.
“For the Yankees to land Crochet, who is under team control through 2026, they’d have to be willing to put together a prospect package along the lines of Jasson Dominguez, Roderick Arias, Chase Hampton, and George Lombard Jr.”
Crochet has two more years of control until he becomes a free agent in 2027, adding significant value. However, the 25-year-old lefty starter has only pitched 100 innings for the first time in his career this year. His first three years in the MLB maxed out at 54.1 innings, raising concerns about his injury history that the Yankees should carefully consider.
Evaluating the Cost of Trade
A deal consisting of Dominguez and several young players with tremendous upside seems like an overpay. The control until 2027 is undoubtedly valuable, but the Yankees view Dominguez as a potential starting outfielder as soon as September, and certainly by 2025. With Alex Verdugo likely departing in free agency, Dominguez has the potential to be a true superstar. Although injuries have been a concern over the past year, he has plenty of time to overcome that narrative.
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The Verdict on Crochet
In other words, Cashman shouldn’t even entertain a package like this for Crochet, who, while fantastic, is extremely unpredictable given his past injuries. The risk may outweigh the potential rewards, suggesting that the Yankees should perhaps look elsewhere to bolster their roster without compromising their future.