
MLB Insider Predicts Yankees Trade For Diamondbacks' $13.5M All-Star
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Baseball season is heating up, but the New York Yankees have cooled off dramatically.
Sitting at 22-28 in their last 50 games, the Yankees have turned a seven-game lead in the American League East into a 5 1/2-game deficit. They're now missing superstar Aaron Judge for what they hope is only about 10 games, and their pitching staff is shorthanded.
By the Thursday trade deadline, the Yankees have to add pitching reinforcements if they want any shot at defending their AL pennant from last season.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 29: Zac Gallen #23 greets starting pitcher Merrill Kelly #29 of the Arizona Diamondbacks after Kelly was removed from the game during the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Chase...
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 29: Zac Gallen #23 greets starting pitcher Merrill Kelly #29 of the Arizona Diamondbacks after Kelly was removed from the game during the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field on March 29, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. MoreThat's why one insider foresees the Yankees acquiring a former All-Star starting pitcher with World Series experience.
On Tuesday, Jim Bowden of The Athletic predicted that the Yankees would bring Arizona Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen to New York ahead of the 6 p.m. ET Thursday deadline.
"The Yankees solved their third-base situation with the trade for Ryan McMahon, then added infielder Amed Rosario, who provides versatility and a good bat versus lefties (.829 OPS)," wrote Bowden.
"Now, they are focused on acquiring a starting pitcher and a reliever or two. They will not trade outfielder Spencer Jones or shortstop George Lombard Jr., but are open-minded about swapping their other top prospects in the right deal."
Gallen, who turns 30 on Sunday, is a huge reason the Diamondbacks are surprise sellers at this deadline. He's got a brutal 5.60 ERA this season, in large part because he's given up a National League-high 23 home runs.
Plus, Gallen is expensive, which might actually work in the Yankees' favor. He'd be owed the remainder of his $13.5 million salary by the acquiring team, though one figures most contenders are prepared to add a bit of payroll.
The real question is whether or not the Yankees think the 2023 All-Star who shined in the World Series that year is still hidden among the peripheral stats.
More MLB: Dodgers Should Pursue Orioles' 'Hidden Gem' in Last-Minute Deadline Deal
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