MLB analyst pitches Yankees can solve second base issue by absorbing former enemy

The New York Yankees expunged two backup catchers from the roster this offseason. While not the most glamorous role in the baseball universe, objectively ... you need one of those. And, for a team that sits where the Yankees do, likely atop the AL mountain, it might help to have some experience to lean on whenever Austin Wells has to ride the pine for a day game after a night game.

With that in mind, why not pair that versatile infield option you've been looking for with a capable backstop and call it a day? In this trade pitch from CBS Sports' Mike Axisa, the only sticking point is ... the catcher in question is a long-time enemy of the state in New York.

Axisa noted over the weekend that the Yankees and Twins might match up in some sort of Willi Castro and (shudders even typing it) Christian Vázquez trade package. All it would cost -- according to value matching -- would be somewhat projectible spare parts, such as Yoendrys Gomez and Oswald Peraza.

In reality, it would be difficult to see the Twins giving up on a 2024 All-Star who plays multiple key positions in Castro in exchange for players who've already receded from view in the Bronx. But you make the call.

Yankees-Twins could match up on Willi Castro, Christian Vázquez trade

Ah, there's the rub, of course. Vázquez, famed for drilling a homer off the Yanks in the 2018 ALDS, then another of the walk-off variety in Boston's 2021 ALDS triumph over the vaunted Rays, costs $10 million and subtracted WAR in 2024, posting a 60 OPS+. He's been there, done that, but he's also on a three-year, $30 million contract, which was signed after the 2022 campaign and already feels like it comes from another century. It's easy to forget he finished 2022 with the World Series champion Astros, eating New York's lunch one last time in the ALCS.

Well, maybe it's easy for some to forget. It's currently seared on my brain.

Castro at ~$6 million in arbitration with one year of control attached? That feels like a bargain, even if he's close to a league-average hitter (102 OPS+ last year in his All-Star campaign, though he was better in 2023). $10 million for a backup catcher? Not unless the Yankees can move Marcus Stroman, too.

You wouldn't happen to want Stroman, would you, Minnesota?