New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman spoke to the media on Thursday regarding the team’s trade deadline approach. They will likely be active, searching for a potential starting pitcher or an outfield supplement with Joey Gallo struggling this season.
Cashman was hesitant to give any revealing information but detailed their strategy to find quality talent.
“We’ll see if it takes us anywhere,” he said. “We’re certainly really happy with the team and we’re (it is) at.”
However, the Bombers have been connected to Pittsburgh Pirates star centerfielder, Bryan Reynolds, who they just saw in a two-game set earlier this week.
Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees could pursue Pirates star Bryan Reynolds at the deadline:
The Yankees (and many others) covet Pittsburgh’s Bryan Reynolds, but will consider Andrew Benintendi. Ian Happ would fit, but like Reynolds, he may stay put.
Many other teams could be in the mix for Reynolds, especially since he’s a free agent in 2026 and arbitration-eligible in 2024. He would be extremely affordable but would cost a boatload of prospects to acquire.
Luckily for the Yankees, they have an extensive minor-league farm system. The question is, would they be willing to pillage their own village for Reynolds?
This season, Reynolds is hitting .257 with a 33.7% on base rate and .463 slugging percentage. He’s smashed 15 homers with 32 RBIs, featuring a 22.7% strikeout rate and 9.9% walk rate.
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The Yankees could get the most out of Bryan Reynolds:
There is a reason to believe that Reynolds could be a stud with the Yankees, given their slugger approach. As a switch hitter, he could leverage the short right porch in Yankee stadium. So far this season, he hosts a 40.1% hard-hit rate, 6.3% barrel rate, and 10.6° of launch angle. His barrel percentage has dropped about 4% compared to 2021.
By increasing his launch angle, he should be able to hit more homers as a Yankee, but he would provide an immediate offensive upgrade over Joey Gallo in the outfield. In addition, it would also make Aaron Judge leaving in free agency a bit more tolerable. Of course, the team will try their best to extend him, but at the very least, they would have a young stud in the outfield to help supplement the loss.
This season, he’s spent 621 innings in centerfield, recording a perfect fielding percentage. However, he has experience in both left and right field, making him an intriguing option for the Yankees.
To acquire Reynolds, though, the Yankees would have to trade at least one of their star prospects. They could look to leverage Oswald Peraza, who is having a solid season after a resurgent month of June. The full package would be an embarrassment of riches. Not even general manager Brian Cashman would be willing to pillage his farm system for one player.