With the Trade Deadline just less than a week away, here are a couple deadline predictions for the New York Yankees as we edge closer to Wednesday.
The MLB Trade Deadline is just under a week away, and very few moves have yet to be made. That should change shortly, however, as contenders like the New York Yankees prepare to gear up for a deep playoff run. With that said, here are a few predictions leading up to the deadline.
Clint Frazier will be Dealt
With an outfield that is manned by Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks and Giancarlo Stanton (when healthy), playing time is already a problem for anyone on the outside looking in. Include depth pieces Cameron Maybin (who is also currently hurt) and Mike Tauchman, who have both been incredibly productive, it’s almost impossible to find time in the field. This leads us to the future of the exciting young outfielder who is Clint Frazier.
Frazier was traded from the Cleveland Indians to the Yankees for Andrew Miller in 2016. To this point, Frazier’s tenure has been ruined by injuries but has seemed to put it together in 2019. Through 191 at bats, Frazier is hitting a very solid .283 with a .330 on base percentage. He’s powered 11 long balls and drove in 34. The only qualm is his defensive abilities, which have been very underwhelming.
Thankfully for the Yankees, Frazier is expendable and his stock has never been higher. If the Yankees were ever going to use Frazier as a trade chip, now would be the time.
Marcus Stroman will join the Yankees
Starting pitching has been a primary need for quite some time now, and it still is as the deadline nears. The Yankee rotation is currently manned by Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton, C.C. Sabathia, Domingo German, and J.A. Happ, with none of which standing out as a bonafide ace. The Yankees have frequently struck out on starting pitching acquisitions, but this year, I expect them to make a big splash.
With options Like Matthew Boyd, Trevor Bauer and others on the market, there are quite a few pitchers to pursue. However, I can see the Yankees really making a push for Blue Jays’ righty Marcus Stroman. Here’s why:
I believe the Yankees have confidence in the fact that Stroman has pitched in the American League East his whole career, and is really thriving this year. He has an ERA of 3.06 at the time of this being written and has allowed just 113 hits to 117.2 innings pitched. The only knock is that Stroman pitches to contact, tallying just 93 strikeouts. This may lead to problems in the future.
The other reason that Stroman seems like a likely Yankee-trade target is the Blue Jays-Yankees trade history. Last year, the Yankees swung a deal for J.A. Happ from Toronto in exchange for Brandon Drury and Billy McKinney. Since then, the Jays have been well acquainted with the Yankees’ farm, creating a comfort level between the two clubs where a deal can be made.
The Yankees have been scouting Stroman heavily, and a deal could get done between the two before Wednesday.
Relief Help Will be Acquired
I discussed this recently, but I believe the Yankees think that a relief pitcher should also be a target. With Dellin Betances’ health up in the air and the number of innings the rest of the ‘pen has been worked, it may be a smart move to pick up another arm or two for the bullpen. There are multiple arms available, like Shane Greene and Ken Giles, among others–perhaps Brian Cashman calls the San Francisco Giants regarding Will Smith.
The Yankees have always been obsessed with improving the bullpen, and now’s a legitimate time to do so. It would be wise to get maybe one more man in the ‘pen to help the relief corps out down the stretch.
However, only time will tell. The Trade Deadline is just six days away. Anticipate the Yanks to make the moves necessary to improving the ballclub for October.
“Marcus Stroman will join the Yankees” – OOPS! LoL