We are days away from the Major League Baseball trade deadline. The New York Yankees are looking to get a strong hold in the American League East. The trade deadline could see a strong duo sold, and even one of these players could boost the Yankees’ win percentage.
This Trade Deadline Duo Idea Could Boost the Yankees’ Elite Status
The AL East is tough right now, as it’s a three-team race. The Yankees sit in second place, right behind the hot Tampa Bay Rays, who are 62-43. Right behind the Bronx Bombers are the rival Boston Red Sox, who are five games behind them.
The Red Sox have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games. The Yankees are missing some pieces and can use some insurance talent to take over the top shelf in the division and win it. The trade deadline will be the team’s chance to improve before the race heats up.
There will be some very credible options on the market on both ends of the baseball. The team referred to here comes from the National League West, one of the toughest divisions in baseball.
The San Diego Padres, who are built like a powerhouse, are far behind in their divisional race and could be sellers at the deadline. The Padres are 14 games behind in the divisional race and two games out of a wild-card spot.
They are four spots from the last NL wild-card spot, to be exact. As nothing is guaranteed, the Padres could be looking to capitalize on some of their top players in trades. Which of these players could drastically help the Yankees?
These Padres Could Be Trade Deadline Options for the Yankees
Offensive outfielders could be good targets to pad the lineup in the Bronx. Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer’s name has been floating around due to their potential sell-off. Let’s take this one step further and call on Fernando Tatis Jr.
The Padres outfielder provides value to the organization from both a baseball and a business standpoint. His brand in San Diego is well known, and he helps sell Padres tickets. He’s one of a few staples on that roster.
As much as the Padres would want to retain him, he does hold a hefty contract. Is this contract worth keeping if the Padres will flunk out early in the postseason or the postseason run for that matter?
The outfielder is locked up until 2035, when he’ll become a free agent. The numbers in between now and then matter. Tatis Jr. will make up to $36 million through 2034. For the Padres, who may be thinking about their pockets and status, offloading this contract would be ideal.
The Yankees would be such a team to take that on. Imagine Aaron Judge, Fernando Tatis Jr, and Cody Bellinger in the outfield and in the lineup. That would be very dynamic and competitive.
What makes this better for the Padres is that Tatis Jr. has not been having a great year. In 407 at-bats, Tatis Jr has only eight home runs, 114 hits, 47 RBIs, and a .280 batting average.
The selling feature for Tatis Jr is his ability to hit, get on base, and push his run game. He has 25 stolen bases this season while scoring 53 times and recording a .348 on-base percentage.
Tatis could very well turn it around on the power side, seeing more hittable pitching in the American League. Joining the establishment in the Bronx could set up long-term success. The Yankees would need to part ways with names such as Trent Grisham and Jasson Dominguez.
The Potential Best Closer in Baseball
For the first time in a while, the Yankees do not have a closer problem; however, a chance to improve that spot is never a bad thing. There’s no better situation for a rental right now than with Padres closer Mason Miller.
The right-hander avoided arbitration this year on a $4 million salary, due again for arbitration next season. 42 and 2 / 3 innings pitched this season, Miller has saved a league-leading 26 games with 79 strikeouts and 15 walks.
He leads the league in games finished with 36, holds a very competitive 0.84 ERA, and has a 2.5-valued WAR. Miller is a hot topic on the mound with a fire heater fastball and shutdown options.
David Bednar has 20 saves in 44 2/3 innings pitched. Bednar has been a staple in the Yankees’ bullpen’s back end. The duo of Bednar and Miller would be lights out in close games.
The duo of Tatis Jr and Miller in the Bronx would create a different beast; one that spells World Series.
Main Photo Credits: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
