Yankees Insider Points to Three Trade Targets as Infield Problems Grow
The New York Yankees have a problem they can't ignore. With Oswaldo Cabrera out for the rest of the season after ankle surgery, the team is suddenly staring at a glaring hole on the infield with not a lot of confidence in their internal options to fill it. The front office doesn't see Oswald Peraza as an everyday solution, and with DJ LeMahieu now 36 and still working his way back to full strength, they can't count on him to handle the load either.
So, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic laid out several names the Yankees could target at the trade deadline, though each comes with its own set of complications.
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And no, it's not Rafael Devers or Nolan Arenado.
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz walks back to the dugout after he flies out in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
One option is Willi Castro of the Minnesota Twins. Castro recently returned from an oblique strain and has mostly played second base since his return but has experience at third as well. He's under contract for $6.4 million this season but hasn't exactly torn the cover off the ball—hitting just .221 with one homer, five RBIs, and a .613 OPS. Still, his defensive versatility makes him a potential stopgap.
A bigger swing would be for the Chicago Cubs' Nico Hoerner, but the cost is significant. He's owed $23.5 million between this season and next and has a career .715 OPS. This year, he's hitting .280 but with no home runs and a .663 OPS. Acquiring Hoerner would also require the Yankees to shift Jazz Chisholm Jr. to third base, should they make that move.
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Then there's Yandy Díaz of the Tampa Bay Rays. The veteran infielder is set to become a free agent after the season and is earning $12 million in the final year of his contract. He is hitting just .238 with six homers and a .691 OPS—but his career .800 OPS suggests there could be more in the tank. He is a first baseman who has not played much in the field this season. The Rays happen to be playing in the Yankees' spring training facility this season as their home is undergoing repairs from hurricane damage, may not want to send Diaz to a division rivale.
Kuty shut down any idea that the Yankees are seriously exploring deals for either Arenado or Devers. The asking prices are sky-high, and the Yankees seem reluctant to take on another massive financial commitment for a long-term solution at third base.
Related: Juan Soto Will Break Yankees Hearts This Weekend an Insider Predicts
Related: Aaron Judge and Anthony Volpe Shocked a Thankful Oswaldo Cabrera After Injury
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