It is officially the hot stove months for Major League Baseball, and of course, the New York Yankees are a focal point. With the usual rumors surrounding Francisco Lindor potentially moving to the Bronx in a trade bubbling to the surface, it is only fair we contemplate what it would take to acquire the star shortstop.
Lindor, who has one year left on his deal and then will hit free agency, is currently a trade piece for the Cleveland Indians. They are actively shopping him, and the Yankees are a perfect fit as Gleyber Torres has struggled to lock down the shortstop position since making the move full-time this past campaign. Lindor will immediately give them a stellar lefty bat in the batting order and is one of the best defensive shortstops in the game. However, he won’t come cheap, which is where outfielder Clint Frazier comes into play.
Frazier had himself a promising 2020 season, hitting .267 with eight homers and 26 RBIs. He struck out a bit too often at 27.5% but had a career-high walk rate at 15.6%.
Trading away Frazier would leave a void in the outfield, but the Yankees could elect to re-sign Brett Gardner and utilize a rotation with Mike Tauchman. That is the only acceptable supplement to losing Frazier, but it would also indicate the Yankees’ acceptance of letting DJ LeMahieu walk.
Managing partner Hal Steinbrenner stated that he understands LeMahieu‘s value to the team and wants to bring him back, but there has been little word of contract negotiations.
Starting first baseman, Luke Voit was openly advocating for his return, stating that LeMahieu likes playing for the Yankees.
“I think he’s a great fit with us,†Voit said (h/t Newsday’s Anthony Rieber). “I know he wants to be in New York. I’m sure every team wants him. He’s a stud. There’s a reason he finished top three in MVP voting, even though I thought he deserved to win it. I think he’s going to have a bunch of big-time offers, but I know he wants to win. I know he loves the guys in the clubhouse and loves the coaching staff and he wants to play in New York. I guess we’ll see, but my gut says he’s going to be a Yankee.â€
I believe that the Yankees will find a way to keep LeMahieu in pinstripes, even if they have to overspend a bit to do so. Lindor is probably another pipe dream off-season rumor, but there’s always the slight chance the Yankees make a blockbuster move, as they have in the past for players like Giancarlo Stanton. Every year there are trade rumors circling, even Voit has been brought up several times given the value he has compounded on the past two years.
“It is part of it, and everyone’s name is going to be thrown around,’’ Voit said. “Everyone is a GM, and everyone wants to talk baseball somehow and make the perfect trade. You don’t know what is going to happen.’’