Yankees: List of possible available trade targets before deadline is wild

There’s still quite a while before the MLB trade deadline, but the buzz is already aplenty. And who’s to say the New York Yankees will wait until July 31 to strike a deal?

General manager Brian Cashman knows the problems this team is currently dealing with. The outfield is bad. The left-handed hitting is pretty much non-existent. The pitching always needs fortification.

But in this case, let’s take a look at the outfield market because that might be the most plentiful as discussions begin to heat up over the next two-plus months.

It just so happens a number of teams that figure to be fully out of contention in a matter of weeks have slugging outfielders as their expected marquee trade chip. You can thank the Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies and Baltimore Orioles for these premature rumors.

Guys like David Peralta, Joey Gallo, Charlie Blackmon and Anthony Santander could all be for the taking, and guess what? They’re all lefty hitters!

We’ve talked at length about Gallo’s fit on the Yankees, but what about the others?

Peralta’s been a popular name making the rounds. Aside from leading some awesome postgame celebrations in the Diamondbacks’ clubhouse, the 33-year-old can hit for average and power while providing speed on the base paths and flexibility on defense (he primarily plays the corner spots but has experience in center field). He’s signed through 2022 at $7.5 million per season.

As for Blackmon, he’s off to a poor start in 2021 despite a tremendous 10-year run in Colorado. However, the soon-to-be 35-year-old probably isn’t a fit for the Yankees. At $21.5 million for this year, the Yankees would undoubtedly blow past the luxury tax by acquiring him. Additionally, he has a $21 million player option in 2022 and a $10 million player option in 2023. Cashman likely won’t saddle the Yankees with that financial burden.

And finally, there’s Santander, who burst onto the scene in Baltimore in 2019. The switch-hitter is currently injured but he on his way back, but the O’s will need to see him rebuild his value before trading him after his slow start. Though an intriguing target, we can bet the Yankees would want someone more experienced and that the O’s won’t want to trade him within the division.

Fans are getting a close look at Joey Gallo during the current series against the Rangers, but perhaps it’s time to snag some MLBTV and see what Peralta’s up to over the next few weeks. Already at 18-24, the D-Backs could be selling sooner than expected.

If these are the rumors kicking off the mill ahead of the trade deadline, just imagine what it’ll be like in a month.

Yankees’ latest trade buzz is very obvious and better be true

The New York Yankees' latest trade buzz indicates they'll be going after left-handed bats at the trade deadline. They should! Please do that!