Yankees: Unexpected trade deadline targets Brian Cashman should overpay for

2. Kyle Gibson

It might feel like Kyle Gibson is one of those fraudulent deadline targets who’s tricking everyone since this is shaping up to be easily his best MLB season in his entire nine-year career, but he’s always had the “stuff” to project as a rock solid No. 2 or 3 option. Now, he’s putting it all together.

Across his first 10 starts, the right-hander is 3-0 with a 2.24 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 48 strikeouts in 60.1 innings of work. He’s giving the Rangers length and induces a ton of grounders with his six-pitch mix (sinker, slider, curveball, changeup, four-seamer and cutter).

OK, you might look at his 3.22 FIP and say, “well, that’s nearly a run higher than his ERA,” but then we’d tell you to look at his ridiculous 190 ERA+ in addition to the fact that he’s missing barrels (4.1% rate), getting batters to chase (65th percentile), and is in the 77th percentile for xwOBA, xERA and xSLG.

Aside from getting ripped by the Royals in his first start of the year, Gibson has yet to throw fewer than six innings in a start and has delivered quality outings in his other nine trips to the mound against the Astros (twice), Giants, Twins, White Sox, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles and Rays. Those are some of the best offenses in the league. His first two months have been no joke.

He’s making $9.6 million this year and will earn $7.6 million in 2022 before hitting free agency. There will obviously be demand for him before July 31, but if other names such as Max Scherzer become available, perhaps the Yankees can swoop in without giving up an arm and a leg for Gibson.

1. Nick Castellanos/Jesse Winker

One or the other. Doesn’t matter. Either will work. Winker would be preferable because he’s a lefty, but Castellanos is likely more available if the Cincinnati Reds were to conduct some sort of a fire sale.

The Reds are on the road to nowhere once again. Getting maximum value for one or two of their best players wouldn’t be the worst idea, but then again, there’s been no inclination either of them will be available. On the other hand, for the right offer, just about anyone is available.

Let’s get Winker out of the way first, because he probably won’t be traded. The 27-year-old has two more years of club control after 2021 and is finally not hampered by injuries this season. He’s one of the best hitters in the National League, slashing .348/.411/.635 with 37 runs scored, 13 homers and 29 RBI through 45 games. He destroys right-handed pitching and can play all three outfield positions.

Moving on…

Castellanos is probably the more realistic target, and we can chalk that up to the fact that he’s owed a total of $48 million through 2023 (which will probably be around $40 million for the Yankees if he’s acquired at the deadline).

He’s improved upon his defense the last three seasons in the corner outfield spots (mostly right field, though), but he’s played most of his career at third base. If the Yankees were to make a splash, they’d have to move Castellanos to left, where they currently have no able bodies, and use him as a part-time option at third base in the name of lineup flexibility.

At the moment, he’s leading the league with a .356 batting average (Winker is second) and boasts a 1.051 OPS. Across 47 games, he’s scored 36 runs, 12 homers and 31 RBI. That’s worlds better than any Yankee right now, including Aaron Judge.

What’s even better is the fact he’s a high energy dude. He talked trash to the Cardinals and caused a benches-clearing incident. He blasted commissioner Rob Manfred. Let’s get one of these guys, please? We’re sick of the “ya knows” and “well, uh, yeahs” in every postgame presser. Give us someone who’s going to set the record straight and inject some life into a lineup that should be full of it.

Yankees: Jameson Taillon calls out beat reporter over ‘cherry-picked’ quote

New York Yankees starter Jameson Taillon wasn't happy with how beat reporter Bryan Hoch framed one of his postgame quotes. Uh oh.