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Yankees: 3 dream trade targets after first week of 2021 season

By Adam Weinrib |
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 03: Corbin Burnes #39 of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts to a pitch during the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins at American Family Field on April 03, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 03: Corbin Burnes #39 of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts to a pitch during the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins at American Family Field on April 03, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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After one up-and-down week of the 2021 MLB season, what could the Yankees really use?

Another high-upside starting pitcher wouldn’t hurt; the rotation was largely excellent one turn through, though three of those starts lasted under five innings (two intentionally, one not so much).

First and foremost, this team could absolutely use some multi-positional utility guys who could play shortstop in a pinch (or, cough, in the late innings of a close game).

They just sprung for Rougned Odor … for whatever reason, but could still use a part-time SS, part-time LF, full-time helpful piece.

So, let’s throw caution to the wind for a second: which targets would fulfill this dream?

For the purposes of this exercise, we’re only looking at versatile bats and ace types on teams that are either trailing the pack or surely will be soon, and we’re definitely examining more than just the one-week sample size we’ve been given.

In an ideal world, this list would include the most versatile of all and my personal favorite target Whit Merrifield of the Royals, who’s already proven his value this season for a team that … may contend for the postseason? If you squint hard enough? Eh, probably not, but they added veterans this offseason in a way that most middling teams didn’t, so they’re clearly trying to be somewhat competitive.

Most importantly, though, Merrifield doesn’t play short. Or center. And he’s not a pinch-running type. So unfortunately, though I’d love him, he’s doesn’t fit the bill here.

These three targets feel much dreamier.

The Yankees could go after these three dream trade targets from middling teams.

Corbin Burnes #39 of the Milwaukee Brewers (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
Corbin Burnes #39 of the Milwaukee Brewers (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

3. Corbin Burnes

I picked Corbin Burnes as my ace-type Brewer over Brandon Woodruff by a nose just because I believe Woodruff is more likely to be prioritized by the Crew. He’s a bit more of a horse — and hey, guess what, I’ll take him! — but Burnes could be the more available piece.

Dare I say it … these two names are more attainable than Luis Castillo of the Reds, whose velocity has decreased a bit in the early going. The Milwaukee Brewers also traded their former starting shortstop last week, and are clearly interested in shuffling middle infielders. If they believe in Gleyber Torres at short…

Sorry, got sidetracked there for a second. Back to Burnes.

Through two starts, Burnes has posted a ridiculous 20 whiffs in 12.1 innings pitched, fulfilling his destiny as a popular breakout candidate after a 4-1 record with 88 strikeouts in 59.2 innings and a 2.03 FIP in the shortened 2020 season. Quite simply, Burnes can bring it. You might’ve seen him featured last week as the non-Jose Berrios half of a double no-hit bid against the Twins at American Family Field.

If New York decides to pursue a high-level pitching upgrade this deadline, they should look to Milwaukee — but not for Josh Hader.

Kevin Newman #27 of the Pittsburgh Pirates (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Kevin Newman #27 of the Pittsburgh Pirates (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

2. Kevin Newman

Fresh off hitting literally .606 in one of the wildest spring trainings you’ll ever see, Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Kevin Newman is down to .185 through the season’s first seven games.

Buy low, Yankees!!

90% kidding, but it can’t hurt that Newman’s faded back to the shadows on potentially the league’s worst team and could clearly help the Yanks as a potential Tyler Wade replacement. If Mike Tauchman’s going to be the first pinch runner off the bench because the Bombers are so worried about losing their only shortstop, then truly what’s the use of Wade at this juncture?

In 2019, Newman appeared to be en route to future stardom, hitting .308 with 12 homers and an above-average 109 OPS+ in his age-25 season and first as a full-time starter. A fellow Arizona Wildcat, Newman felt like a fully-realized version of Rob Refsnyder, the Yankees’ former utility dream.

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but the shortened 2020 season led to a complete roller coaster for Newman. He flat-lined last year, OPS+-ing a putrid 52, about half as good as your average shortstop. This spring, his line-drive swing to all fields appeared to have returned! You can’t trust those statistics, but you can trust the confidence.

Alas, one week into the season, it’s gone again.

Newman’s pedigree is higher than fellow Pirate utility man Adam Frazier’s, and he’s a natural shortstop, unlike the Buccos’ other trade option. All we’d need to see is a middle ground between dreadful and dangerous to give Newman a chance.

Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

1. Joey Gallo

The Yankees just called the Rangers about their absolute worst player. Perhaps they’d like to reengage about somebody who’s actually valuable?

Don’t let Joey Gallo’s bulk fool you; he can fill in almost anywhere if need be, including center field.

Once Luke Voit returns, he might be an excellent salve for Aaron Hicks’ struggles, floating around the outfield to give the Yanks a more enticing backup plan if Aaron Judge/Hicks/Giancarlo Stanton have to miss extended time. Want more proof of how “open” the outfield is despite the perception that it’s clogged to capacity? How often has Brett Gardner already played this season?

How often has he batted third?

The outfield picture is tomorrow’s problem, though. For now, Gallo can serve as a clear and present upgrade over Bruce while maintaining his left-handed advantage.

So, what are the negatives here? He strikes out? Well, allow him to join the club. Gallo’s an above-average defender at multiple positions in need of insurance, he’s an on-base monster, and he hits moonshots that Bruce can only dream of.

At a certain point, the Rangers will need to stop treading water, and should realize that they could garner a wealth of prospects by offering up their most tradeable asset. He’d be an ideal acquisition for the Yankees, and would likely weave his way into 100+ extremely valuable games per year.

Would’ve been a great get this offseason, though, and since the Yankees passed once already, he’ll remain a dream for now.

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