Forgotten Yankees trade rumor needs a spark with NYY's offseason on life support

Though this offseason has been slow for just about everybody, it's been especially slow for the New York Yankees, who have only brought in two players outside the organization in Cade Winquest (Rule 5 Draft) and Paul DeJong (minor league contract). Other than that, they've brought back Trent Grisham, Amed Rosario, Ryan Yarbrough, Tim Hill and Paul Blackburn.

Not to mention, Cody Bellinger is still a free agent, and all of Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt and Anthony Volpe won't be ready to begin 2026. Does this sound like a roster that will build upon its limp 2025 campaign?

Not too long ago, the Yankees were mentioned in a trade rumor involving St. Louis Cardinals reliever JoJo Romero. The veteran left-hander will be a free agent after 2026 as he enters his final year of arbitration eligibility, and there's no reason he shouldn't be attainable.

The Yankees need another lefty reliever alongside Tim Hill, and we can't with confidence say Brent Headrick is that guy. The Cardinals have next to no use for a surging bullpen arm as they enter a transition period under Chaim Bloom. And finally, Brian Cashman has conducted business with Bloom in the past when he was running the show in Boston. Bloom has already made two trades with the Red Sox this offseason (Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras).

Why can't Yankees reignite JoJo Romero trade talks with Cardinals?

Combine the need, the familiarity, and both teams' situations, and it's hard to understand why this rumor seemingly died on the vine three weeks ago. This type of trade wouldn't send the fan base into a frenzy, but it would at least provide intrigue, check a need off the list, and limit the amount of work Cashman will have to do at the 2026 trade deadline.

Just two weeks ago, the division-rival Orioles, who have been among the most active teams in the league this offseason, reportedly checked in on Romero. The Yankees can't have another one of their direct competitors step in front of them and make an upgrade. The Blue Jays have done that enough this offseason.

It's no secret the Cardinals have leverage here. Romero has a good reputation as a member of the clubhouse, in addition to the fact he's found his groove as a valuable reliever the last two seasons. His value has never been higher.

But that's never an excuse to shy away. Sometimes paying a justifiably high price for an asset is worth it. It's definitely more worthwhile than hoping Headrick becomes what you need despite evidence to the contrary. It's definitely more worthwhile than searching for a different diamond-in-the-rough/unproven talent when your goal is to win now.

So, yeah, can somebody please find where this rumor went? It'd be good to have it back right about now as the Yankees continue to let the offseason market dictate how they operate.