New York Yankees Linked To Star Third Baseman in Blockbuster Trade
The New York Yankees have their eye on trying to improve their situation at third base. New York could also use a little outfield depth, too.
Fortunately, there is a trade partner out there that can offer both, if the Yankees are willing to participate in a rather complicated four-team trade proposed by MLB.com recently.
The story put together six blockbuster trade scenarios and, for the Yankees, the site proposed that it capitalize on question marks surrounding the future of a third baseman in Houston — Alex Bregman.
Bregman is one of two Astros infielders who have contracts ending in 2024. The other is Jose Altuve. The Astros have reportedly said they want to extend both, but Altuve is the priority. They want to make him an Astro for life.
As for Bregman, he could get caught in a numbers crunch. If so, the Astros might be wise to deal him and get some value now.
That’s where the Yankees come in. Bregman has a quality bat and an above-average glove, and MLB.com believes that Yankees fans will forget about the past once he’s in pinstripes:
Yankees fans will get over that 2017 stuff when Bregman is banging out dingers and doubles, improving the club’s on-base ability and making the Bronx Bombers way less Aaron Judge-dependent.
Bregman had another quality season with the Astros, slashing 262/.363/.441/.804 with 28 doubles, four triples, 25 home runs and 98 RBI. His right-handed swing would be a great fit at Yankee Stadium.
In this deal the Yankees would also get Astros outfielder Jake Meyers, an above-average defensive outfielder who is under team control in 2027. Plus, the Yankees get Chicago White Sox pitcher Jared Shuster, whom the White Sox just got last week in the Aaron Bummer deal.
So, how do the White Sox get involved in this? It’s a four-team trade. The site theorizes that for everyone to make the deal work, four teams are needed, with the AL champion Baltimore Orioles being the fourth team.
So while the Yankees get help in three key areas, the White Sox also deal pitcher Dylan Cease to the Orioles and the Orioles trade infielder Jordan Westburg to the Astros.
To this point, the Yankees have given up nothing. But here’s the kicker — the White Sox get a top prospect from each team. The White Sox would get catcher/first baseman Samuel Basallo (Orioles’ No. 5 prospect) and pitcher Spencer Arrighetti (Astros’ No. 3 prospect).
From the Yankees? Well, it’s costly from a prospect perspective — outfielder Jasson Domínguez, who is the Yankees’ No. 2 prospect and is recovering from Tommy John surgery.
There’s always a price to be paid. But given what the Yankees would get, it might be worth the deal.
