Yankees' latest rumored trade target (a division rival) will drive fans up a wall

Somehow, the most expendable part of any roster has become a paramount need for the New York Yankees, and general manager Brian Cashman is on the hunt for outfielders this offseason. Turns out, using non-outfielders in the outfield doesn't really work.

But you know what else doesn't work? Getting a bad, oft-injured, right-handed hitting outfielder, too. And the latest rumors suggest that's exactly what the Yankees are currently in the market for.

Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required), the Yankees are interested in Rays' Manuel Margot and have had "multiple conversations" about the veteran with Tampa Bay. With all of the possible outfield trade candidates out there, it's blow fans' minds how this is the one linked to the Yankees so early in the offseason.

Better yet, the ones available for money alone -- Kevin Kiermaier, Joc Pederson, Jorge Soler, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Teoscar Hernandez -- are all better and RIGHT IN FRONT OF US! And some of them might be just as costly as Margot.

The 29-year-old is due $10 million for the 2024 season and has a $12 million mutual option for the 2025 season. Why would you trade anything and pay that price for his abilities?

Yankees' latest rumored trade target (a division rival) will drive fans up a wall

The Yankees won't pay $15 million for Gleyber Torres but will gladly pay $10 million for Manuel Margot. Make it make sense.

Margot, since 2021, has played in 313 out of a possible 486 games. His best qualities are that he doesn't strike out and he can play solid defense at all three outfield spots, but other than that? He's hitting .255 with a .694 OPS and 91 OPS+ for his career. Acquiring him would once again show the Yankees don't take their bench seriously whatsoever.

This doesn't make the team better. It'd be another example of misallocating money and misreading a short, meaningless end-of-season hot streak (Margot hit .333 with an .839 OPS in the final 14 games of the 2023 season).

Not to mention, likely as a result of injuries, his defense has taken a hit over the last couple seasons. From 2017-2021, Margot recorded 41 Defensive Runs Saved and 54 Outs Above Average. The last two years he's been good for 0 DRS and 3 OAA. Whether the downturn is legitimate or not, why chase a depreciated asset in a trade with a team that's not going to eat any money?

Cashman won't be tarred and feather over a rumor, but it doesn't help the buzz is coming from one of the most trusted industry sources in Rosenthal.

If the Yankees do acquire Margot, it'll be more of the same in the Bronx in 2024 from a depth perspective. He represents the same exact roster fodder everyone's been complaining about for four years now.