Yankees: 3 rumored trade deadline targets fans can already rule out

2. Mike Yastrzemski

This one may not be a full-fledged widespread rumor, but Joel Sherman of the New York Post named Mike Yastrzemski as a potential trade option for the Yanks, and we feel it’s necessary to tell you that it will not be happening. Like, really. There’s no chance. Come back and “Old Takes Exposed” us if it does.

Yastrzemski will be arbitration-eligible for the first time in his career this coming offseason. Sure, he’ll be 31 in 2022, but he’s been tremendous for the San Francisco Giants, putting up a .269/.352/.522 slash line with 122 runs scored, 9 triples, 37 home runs and 101 RBI in 197 career games over the last three years.

Sherman believes this is a possibility because the Giants are expected to lose a lot of pitchers in free agency after 2021 (Johnny Cueto, Kevin Gausman, Anthony DeSlafani, Aaron Sanchez and Alex Wood are in contract years), but you know who may also be leaving in the offseason? Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford, Brandon Belt and Donovan Solano. Why would San Fran get rid of a proven cost-effective outfielder in order to address the future of the rotation?

It’s not a terrible idea, but weakening a strong area of the roster (Yastrzemski, Mike Tauchman and Alex Dickerson is a good, cheap outfield) to improve another that’s already going to need a ton of overhaul just doesn’t seem like the right move.

Plus, the Yankees might want more experience and pedigree with their big acquisition. Can you blame them?