Yankees: 4 shortstop trade targets if NYY bow out of free agency

No, we’re not twisting ourselves into a pretzel trying to convince ourselves that passing on a high-profile shortstop in this star-studded class is a good idea. New York Yankees fans are rightfully angry that’s been the buzz circulating in recent days.

All we’re doing is living life and exploring ways the Yankees can successfully pivot IF they’re going to cheap out in free agency and opt for a “stopgap” shortstop in the name of reserving a spot for Anthony Volpe or Oswald Peraza. It’s egregious enough that’s even the conversation, but if that’s truly how the Yankees feel, there are other ways to go about it than punting 2022 by signing Freddy Galvis, Andrelton Simmons or Jose Iglesias.

Don’t want to even mention those guys’ names anymore. Shouldn’t even be heard in the same breath as “Yankees.” Ever.

New York has a window, if they make the right moves. The 2022 season should be yet another prime opportunity for this team … but we won’t jump to conclusions since we thought 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 would also be theirs for the taking. They couldn’t have given it all away any faster or in more disheartening fashion.

Creativity is the name of the game here. The Yankees have a loaded farm system with a lot to give, especially if they plan to hang on to a select few names and maximize the primes of Gerrit Cole, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge (assuming he’s extended soon).

So, if Corey Seager, Carlos Correa, Trevor Story, Javier Baez and Marcus Semien are off the table for 2022, general manager Brian Cashman needs to make some calls to see if these shortstops across the league are available via trade.

The Yankees need to explore trades for these four shortstops if they pass on one in free agency.

4. Harold Castro

The Detroit Tigers might be the team that lands Correa, so if that happens, would they shop Harold Castro, who got his most exposure at shortstop this past season? In 43 games, he didn’t make a single error at the position … but was good for -5 Defensive Runs Saved. There’s a reason he’s No. 4 on this list.

Then again, the Yankees don’t exactly need the greatest of defensive wizards taking over for Gleyber Torres — someone who has range and can make routine throws/field routine grounders will do. The bar is low right now.

The “knock” on Castro is that he’s more of a utility player than a shortstop, and is a second baseman first and foremost. But he proved he can handle shortstop better than Torres ever could and his bat didn’t suffer. Castro’s a nice slap contact hitter, which is another characteristic this Yankees team needs. Check out his numbers since 2019:

• 2019 – .291 average (103 hits) in 97 games
• 2020 – .347 average (17 hits) in 22 games
• 2021 – .283 average (89 hits) in 106 games

Not great … but not bad! The Yankees could slot a player of Castro’s caliber in the nine-hole and easily get by. Plus, he won’t exactly be expensive in trade talks despite the fact he’s under club control through 2026. He’s about to be 28 years old and doesn’t have a lot of MLB experience. He’d be a fine “stopgap” option and then transition to a utility player once Volpe/Peraza are ready.

2. Kevin Newman

The Pirates. Another bad team. Another team familiar doing business with the Yankees. And with Oneil Cruz and Cole Tucker on this roster, is there really a need for Kevin Newman, who’s now going to see a salary increase as he enters arbitration? What’s more valuable — trading him for assets to continue your rebuild or shifting him over to second base when he’s only under club control through 2025? You tell us.

Newman only has two full MLB seasons under his belt. He debuted in 2018, had a tremendous 2019, got stuck in the shortened 2020 that may have halted his development, and then had a really bad offensive campaign in 2021. The defense is still good, though! And we’ll take the bat’s potential over whatever the aforementioned free agents have to offer (110 OPS+ and .308 average in 2019).

He’s got a positive dWAR and plus DRS numbers. Generally regarded as rock steady with the glove. Three errors in 132 games at shortstop in 2021. Sounds great. Like we said, the bar is fairly low. Don’t need Omar Vizquel out there.

The former first-round pick could be had on the cheaper side, too, given his dreadful bat in 2021. The defense is there, though, and the offense could come around if he’s protected by much better hitters in the lineup.

1. Willy Adames or Luis Urías

We’re not sure why this would be a possibility, either, but Joel Sherman of the New York Post recently mentioned Willy Adames as a potential trade target for the Bombers, and that has us thinking. And if Adames is on the table in this hypothetical situation, then why isn’t Luis Urías?

Perhaps the Brewers value Urías’ defensive versatility more (he also plays second and third rather well), but Adames’ bat is undoubtedly superior. Either way, the Yankees should be willing to take either player!

Both can play above-average shortstop (positive dWAR and positive or slightly negative DRS) and provide some pop with the bat (Adames we’re very familiar with, and Urías broke out with 23 bombs last year). Adames has a more proven track record of consistency, however, and getting out of Tropicana Field reportedly really helped his vision. Seriously.

There’s really not much analysis to be had here. We’re not sure if either are available or will be available, but if an insider is speculating, then we have to explore. Adames has played shortstop for 416 out of his 426 career games and is under club control through 2025 … so we’re not sure why he would be a more desired option, especially if the Yankees are looking to keep the spot open for an incoming youngster.

That’s why we popped Urías in here. He can play shortstop well and can easily transition off of it when the time comes given what he’s proven at second and third (did you not see his insane plays during the NLDS against the Braves?).

Realistically, we’d take either one, but if the Yankees are looking for a seamless changing of the guard when Volpe/Peraza are ready, Urías feels like the better option.

3 free agents Yankees will absolutely not be signing

Sorry, but the New York Yankees will absolutely not be signing these three free agents. Look yourself in the mirror. You already knew this.