3 Yankees Willson Contreras trade packages that could work

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The New York Yankees (deep breath) technically could stand to improve at the catcher position, if you operate under the assumption that Jose Trevino won’t maintain a pace of 7-for-21 in RISP situations with only three strikeouts all year long (paired with exceptional framing).

Trevino’s been a revelation, but Kyle Higashioka hasn’t delivered whatsoever after an explosive spring — and his defense/framing numbers have also taken a step back with increased responsibility.

Acquiring two months of Cubs standout Willson Contreras could give the Yankees a much-needed boost at the back of the lineup, especially considering Giancarlo Stanton, battling ankle soreness, is no sure bet to stay healthy all year long. If the top of the lineup falters (Anthony Rizzo, too, is struggling), then the defense-first names at the back end only look more glaring.

The Cubs could help, as a possible one-stop shop for all the Yankees’ varied insurance needs, though Contreras would represent the most glaring upgrade.

Thus far, Higashioka has posted an impossibly low OPS+ of 29 in 68 at-bats, alongside a .224 OBP and three (count ’em, three!) extra-base hits. Contreras, even while pushing through a recent slump, has an argument for being the best-hitting catcher in baseball. He’s been worth 1.3 WAR with a 137 OPS+, five homers, 14 RBI, and a .376 OBP.

And the best part is? He only requires a two-month commitment, and will hit free agency at the end of the season. The Yankees will not need to stake a pile of prospects on Contreras’ immediate future, and he can likely be had for a similar value to Anthony Rizzo in 2022.

3 Willson Contreras trades that could bring star Cubs catcher to Bronx

3. Yankees Deal 3 Top-30 Prospects to Cubs for Willson Contreras

Would it even take a trio of top-30 names to nab Contreras after Anthony Rizzo cost only a pair in 2021 (Alexander Vizcaíno and Kevin Alcantara)? The Yankees even let the Cubs upgrade their ask in exchange for Chicago covering the rest of Rizzo’s salary.

Contreras is in a better place offensively than Rizzo was at the time of that deal, and the Yankees are in more dire straits behind the plate than they were at first base last year with Luke Voit en route back to the active roster.

In this deal, we’ve given the Cubs a top-10 Yankees prospect recovering from Tommy John surgery in Gomez, which fits with Chicago’s non-timeline, as well as Alexander Vargas, a tantalizingly talented teen who ranks 16th on the MLB Pipeline Top 30. As we know from the Yu Darvish deal, this Cubs front office prefers prospects as far away as possible in these types of deals.

We’ve added Breaux (No. 25 on MLB Pipeline’s list) in case Chicago wants a catcher with power potential. Adding a third prospect to the pool feels somewhat unnecessary, but the negotiations will likely get to that point.

Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

2. Yankees and Cubs Swap Roster Chunks in Bigger Deal

(And it won’t fit on the graphic, but there’s a good chance there’s a fifth Yankees prospect lottery ticket heading over in that deal, too. Perhaps a Rule 5 eligible like CF Brandon Lockridge?)

This would be the motherlode. Contreras’ acquisition would immediately shift the balance of power behind the plate, but catcher isn’t the team’s only weakness. As of this article’s writing, the Yankees are running Aaron Hicks out every day despite rampant underperformance, and have installed Miguel Andújar as their starting left fielder. Joey Gallo, once the paragon of underperformance, has now rocketed up the lineup’s power rankings and seems like one of the “normal guys.” This team is in desperate need of outfield reliability while Giancarlo Stanton heals up from a bout of ankle soreness.

Happ, best friends with Anthony Rizzo, could help immediately. The switch-hitter has posted a 129 OPS+ and 1.4 WAR that would immediately revitalize a thin and oft-injured unit. Need bullpen help? The Yanks certainly do after losing Jonathan Loaisiga, Chad Green and Aroldis Chapman in a matter of days. An almost-comical thinning of the bullpen could lead to the tide being stemmed in the same way it was in 2017: David Robertson.

The beloved Yankee could be a perfect fit for his third go-round with the team he came up with; D-Rob has struck out 22 in 15.1 innings so far this season, holding down a 1.76 ERA and superior Statcast metrics to go with it.

The Bombers would have to give to get here, surrendering their No. 2 prospect Oswald Peraza, someone they’ve previously been unwilling to part with. The toolsy Pereira and nasty Vasquez would also really hurt to lose (all top-15 prospects), but the Cubs are in over their heads dealing with a roster mess. Unless they’re overwhelmed, they won’t want to surrender all their premium assets in a single trade rather than spread them out to several desperate teams. It might not even be possible for the Yankees to nab all three, but expect five (or six!) familiar names switching sides to make it happen.

Joey Gallo #13 of the New York Yankees (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

1. Joey Gallo Jumpstart Trade for Willson Contreras

Don’t look now, but less than a year after acquiring him, Joey Gallo and the Yankees may already be preparing to part ways. The slugger hits free agency this offseason yet again, and after an underwhelming (to say the least) four months in pinstripes, a change of scenery could be for the best — yes, even before a new contract must be discussed.

The low-pressure environment of the second-half Cubs might be a perfect spot for Gallo to reestablish his value outside a pennant race, the rare instance where a player might prefer to go to a team that’s well out of contention. August and September in the swirling winds of Wrigley with nothing at stake? Hell, Gallo might ask if the team can pull this off sooner.

Of course, Contreras is a more valuable asset than Gallo at this point, so the Yankees will have to throw in a top prospect to sweeten the pot. The occasionally-spectacular 20-year-old Vargas still feels like a solid fit, as he attempts to navigate full-season baseball. Through 147 at-bats, he’s hitting .190 with 3 homers, 13 RBI and 9 stolen bases, while also being blocked by Anthony Volpe/Oswald Peraza and having less pedigree than recent international signee Roderick Arias.

The Yankees have been reticent to give him up, but … if not with an opportunity to acquire Contreras in front of them, when? Ideally, Gallo mashes in his new home, the Yankees secure an outfielder in a separate deal (Andrew Benintendi), and everybody goes home happy.

Things like this never seem to happen anymore, though.

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: Chad Green #57 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium on April 28, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)

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3 Willson Contreras trades that could bring star Cubs catcher to Bronx

3. Yankees Deal 3 Top-30 Prospects to Cubs for Willson Contreras

2. Yankees and Cubs Swap Roster Chunks in Bigger Deal

1. Joey Gallo Jumpstart Trade for Willson Contreras

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