Yankees: 3 blockbuster trades that need to be made if DJ LeMahieu leaves

1. Trade for Luis Castillo

The Yankees would have to pay a lot, but Luis Castillo would be worth it.

If the Yankees let DJ LeMahieu walk, that likely means they’re confident in the remaining guys in their lineup to produce offensively. And we’d largely agree with that, even though LeMahieu has been such a spark on an everyday basis. Assuming everyone can stay healthy, the front office would be correct in this assessment.

So what does that mean? The Yankees absolutely need to go all out for a pitcher. If you’re calling yourself a World Series contender, trotting Domingo German, Jordan Montgomery, Deivi Garcia, Clarke Schmidt and Mike King behind Gerrit Cole surely isn’t the answer. If you’re going to have three of those guys in your rotation, then you need a co-ace.

Enter Luis Castillo. The right-hander is reportedly being discussed in trade talks, as the Cincinnati Reds are looking to unload some contracts and figure out a way to properly rebuild amid their awkward situation. Castillo is their best asset, though, and would easily bring back a colossal return or help them unload an unfavorable contract.

If it comes down to parting ways with some top prospects and this is well within reach, the Yankees have to do it. Cole and Castillo atop this rotation, regardless of how good the offense is, changes the complexion of the postseason by a mile. Pitching those two in Games 1 and 2 would be as lethal as it gets.

Though the Yankees’ offense has infamously gone silent in key moments in recent Octobers, the biggest flaws on all of those teams have been a lack of depth/star power in the starting rotation. So if you’re going to let an elite offensive talent in LeMahieu walk, countering with an elite piece on the other side of the ball would help solve two issues with one move.

Fans assuming Yankees have expensive master plan without DJ LeMahieu are too hopeful

New York Yankees fans who automatically assume letting DJ LeMahieu walk will bring about other great things are sorely mistaken.