Coming into the 2016 MLB season, expectations for the New York Yankees weren’t very high. Despite acquiring Chicago Cubs infielder Starlin Castro, and the game’s best closer, Aroldis Chapman, the Yankees still didn’t resemble a playoff team.
However, they were faced with an interesting dilemma at this year’s trade deadline. While not by any means a World Series contender, the Yankees were becoming a very competitive team. Yet Yankees GM Brian Cashman decided it was time to sell off their assets. After this year’s yard sale at the trade deadline, the Yankees need to finish the job this offseason by dealing away their veterans and going into full rebuild mode.
Yankees Can Go into Full Rebuild Mode by Trading Vets
Brett Gardner
Gardner has been a member of the Yankee organization since he was brought up as a rookie in 2008, but the time is now for them to trade him. While a consistent player, Gardner is on the decline. He’s lost a lot of power at the plate, and, while he’s still a great defensive outfielder, his arm has always been mediocre. Gardner will be entering the third year of his four-year extension next season, and the Yankees could easily find a taker for him.
The Texas Rangers could be a suitor. Outfielders Ian Desmond and Carlos Beltran head for free agency this offseason. Texas will likely only be able to keep one of them, opening the door for a Gardner trade. In return, the Yankees could ask for young power-hitting first baseman Joey Gallo to potentially replace longtime first baseman Mark Teixeira.
Another factor involved in a Brett Gardner trade is the presence of outfield prospect Clint Frazier. Frazier, who was the key piece acquired in the deal that sent all star reliever Andrew Miller to the Cleveland Indians, is considered by some as the top prospect in the Yankee organization. He will eventually be Gardner’s successor. However, with the bevy of outfielders that the Yankees have in their farm system, trading Gardner would open the door for prospects, most notably Frazier, to get their chance to prove their worth in the big leagues. Trading Gardner now is key to the Yankees going to full rebuild mode.
Brian McCann
In addition, the Yankees must also deal catcher Brian McCann. McCann signed a five-year deal with the Yankees, and will be entering year four of that deal next season, but he is the elephant in the room on this Yankee team. With phenom catcher Gary Sanchez emerging as a player the Yankees can legitimately build around, McCann’s future in New York is likely coming to an end.
The Washington Nationals are just the team to inquire for his services. Given the unfortunate news of stud catcher Wilson Ramos‘s torn ACL, it is likely that he will miss most, if not all, of the 2017 season, opening the door for a McCann trade. Ramos is an impending free agent, so trading for McCann gives Washington a reliable catcher for the next two years. In return, the Yankees could ask for young pitcher Erick Fedde, who is expendable to the Nationals due to their excess of pitching depth in their farm system.
Chase Headley
While trading Gardner and McCann allows the Yankees to let their prospects gain MLB experience, trading Headley gives them flexibility. Headley, like both McCann and Gardner, has two years left on his deal, but unlike them, Headley is versatile. He can play both third and first base, which is a skill set NL teams tend to salivate over.
A potential trade partner for the Yankees could be the Los Angeles Dodgers. With infielder Justin Turner hitting free agency this winter, Headley could serve as a fallback option for them, and be Adrian Gonzalez‘s backup at first base. Headley’s versatility would make him a great fit on the Dodgers.
Trading Veterans Allows the Yankees to Fully Rebuild
The New York Yankees are entering the offseason in an awkward fashion. Despite the fact that they dealt Chapman, Miller, Beltran, and starting pitcher Ivan Nova, the Yankees aren’t yet in complete rebuild mode. Multiple veterans remain on their roster. By trading Gardner, McCann, and Headley, the Yankees would officially be in rebuild mode, and could have their future looking brighter with more prospects, or possible trade assets, at their disposal. This winter, the Yankees need to finish what they started and trade away their veteran players to make way for a full rebuild.
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