MLB insider links Yankees to picture-perfect trade target, but it'll never happen

A catcher, preferably a right-handed hitter, is rapidly becoming the New York Yankees' biggest need. Austin Wells has returned from the IL after dealing with cervical headaches, but it remains to be seen what impact, if any, that had on his performance, which has been on the downslope since his somewhat encouraging 2024 showing.

Even if Wells shows signs of life, the Yankees could be in the market for a right-handed-hitting catcher. For now, that opportunity will go to Ali Sanchez, with the lefty-swinging J.C. Escarra getting sent down to Scranton.

Fans have been clamoring for Minnesota Twins backstop Ryan Jeffers or former first-overall pick Adley Rutschman of the Baltimore Orioles, but both present issues. Jeffers is on the IL with a broken hamate bone that could sap his power production, while Rutschman would cost a king's ransom to pry away (and he has a history of inconsistent performance). Meanwhile, New York let a cheap but potentially potent option slip through the cracks by not making a play for Elias Diaz.

Amid all of that, MLB insider Jim Bowden has another target in mind for the Yankees, and it's one that no one has been talking about. The former MLB general manager suggests that Brian Cashman could go after Gabriel Moreno of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Diamondbacks have no reason to trade Gabriel Moreno to Yankees or anyone else

Moreno is just 26 years old and has posted a 102 wRC+ or better in each of his five big league seasons, dating back to his 2022 cup of coffee as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. He's coming off a year in 2025 where his offensive performance hit another level with a 117 wRC+. So far this year he's been even better, hitting .275/.355/.450 with six homers and a 123 wRC+ over 50 games.

He's also solidly above average defensively, grading out as a plus defender when it comes to pitch blocking, pitch framing, and controlling the run game. He doesn't hit free agency until after the 2028 season, giving him an additional year of team control over Rutschman, and more years of control over Jeffers, who hits free agency this winter.

So it's clear why the Yankees should be salivating over him. However, just because a player seems like a perfect fit doesn't mean he'll be available, and this is where Bowden has us a bit confused.

As of the conclusion of action on June 21, the Diamondbacks sit at 39-38, which has them 9.5 games back of the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, but in the thick of a crowded field of NL wild card contenders. Arizona sits just one game back of the final wild card spot, making it seem like, if things hold, they'll buy rather than sell at the deadline.

To be fair, there are a total of six National League teams chasing the Chicago Cubs for that last playoff spot, all of whom are at most 2.5 games back. It's possible that the competition becomes too fierce and the D-backs drop off.

However, even then, why would they sell such a young, productive, and controllable asset? They have big money invested in players like Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll, and Corbin Burnes, all of whom are signed through 2030. They're not going anywhere. Burnes has an opt-out after this season, but as he rehabs from last year's Tommy John surgery, it's highly unlikely he exercises it.

That implies a need to contend. Even if they were to believe they can't compete with this iteration of the Dodgers for the foreseeable future, no one is touching the Marte and Burnes contracts in a trade. So, having a long-term vision of competing is the only thing that makes sense, and Moreno's team control helps make that happen.

Even if Arizona does sell before Aug. 3, it will likely repeat last year's blueprint. The Diamondbacks sold off free agents-to-be Josh Naylor, Eugenio Suarez, and Merrill Kelly last summer.

The only way Brian Cashman and the Yankees could potentially sway them on dealing Moreno would be to make them a "Godfather" offer. For a player who is really good but isn't a superstar, that doesn't make a ton of sense, especially with other pressing needs like the bullpen and infield to focus on.

As rumors and speculation begin to heat up, it's important to put things in the appropriate context. Bowden certainly has sources, but when he's giving his opinion, he can tend to get a little wild with his predictions. Unless it's backed up by a source, it should be taken with a grain of salt. Moreno is an excellent idea for the Yankees, but the facts on the ground make it an impossible deal.

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