3 surprise Yankees trade targets who could change 2023 roster

The New York Yankees, uh, have some work to do during the 2022-23 offseason, which involves battling back a horde of Aaron Judge-related rumors about his dissatisfaction, likes and dislikes, and how he’s worried the pinstripes might hide his true physique as he ages.

Bringing back Judge — or the decision to let him walk — will color this entire offseason for better or worse. Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone are expected to lead it. Odds are, it’ll either feel like a continuation of the 2022 team (Judge + bargain replacements/trade steals) or a complete reboot if Judge leaves.

Not a rebuild. A reboot. The Yankees don’t tank. They just compete differently.

Whether a Judge extension comes to fruition or not, the Yankees will absolutely be all over the trade market in a few weeks. For better or worse, dealing is what they do most often, while shirking expensive commitments to the likes of Trea Turner and Carlos Correa. After all, why pay Turner when you can pay two relievers and a 37-year-old the same amount of money?

The Yankees will be scouring the trade market, as they always do, and will be in the mix for all the names you’ve already heard about, from Pablo Lopez (watch out, Gleyber!) to Sean Murphy to Shohei Oh–sorry, sorry, couldn’t get through that one with a straight face.

These three under-the-radar names should be considered, too, at positions of need. All three should be varying degrees of available.

Yankees should consider these 3 surprise trade targets this offseason

3. Jake Cronenworth, San Diego Padres

The two-time All-Star affectionately known as “Rake” Cronenworth could hypothetically move from one crowded infield picture to another.

As the Padres try to discern what to do with Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ha-seong Kim, dealing for Cronenworth might end up the cost-effective alternative to some bizarre and misshapen Tatis Jr. trade, something San Diego will probably pursue, but which sounds impossible.

At first blush, you’d think the Yankees wouldn’t have much room in their overstuffed infield to fit Cronenworth in, but you’d also be wrong once you whittled down New York’s infield depth chart to “trustworthy” vs. “not trustworthy.” Will Josh Donaldson absolutely be a Yankee next season? Will Gleyber Torres still be on the roster, or will he be dealt? Will DJ LeMahieu return to full strength? Will Anthony Rizzo be back? Or Isiah Kiner-Falefa? Beyond the rookies, it seems everyone’s fair game. Cronenworth will be able to find reps in the Bronx for sure.

An ex-Ray under control through 2025, Cronenworth is coming off 122 and 113 OPS+ marks in his first two full seasons in the bigs. Add in the ability to play multiple positions and deliver under pressure (.438 average/1.063 OPS against the Dodgers in the 2022 NLDS), and the Padres’ potential squeeze could be the Yankees’ gain, in exchange for Trey Sweeney and Co.

Of course, there’s always Tatis Jr., too…

1. Christian Walker, Arizona Diamondbacks

Depending on what happens with Anthony Rizzo’s new deal — it’d be nice to have him back, too! — the Yankees could do worse than calling Arizona about their 31-year-old masher who grades out better than Rizzo in Outs Above Average.

Christian Walker had a largely overlooked season in the desert (and who could blame you for missing it?), but Arizona’s first baseman is a Statcast darling who just so happened to pile up the counting stats in 2022, too.

Walker drilled 36 homers, drove in 94 runs, posted an .804 OPS and made 667 plate appearances. Rizzo? 32 homers, 77 RBI, slightly higher .817 OPS and recurring back issues that make him a dodgy target moving forward. Both men had very similar seasons on the surface. Strip away the intangibles and add some better exit velocity numbers, and Walker could be a solid bet moving forward.

Rizzo’s average exit velocity? 57th percentile. Walker’s? 69th. Barrel percentage? Walker has the lead again, 92nd to 86th. OK, fine. Both men can mash. But OAA is really the difference-maker here. Walker’s range placed him in the 99th percentile of the metric. Rizzo? He finished in the icy blue 23rd percentile.

If you lose Rizzo, you lose championship pedigree. If he comes back on the right terms, and brings Judge with him, that would be an acceptable outcome in the Bronx. But if he demands an extra year, the Yankees might want to start crafting some Walker/D-Backs pitching packages.

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