Underwhelming Yankees-Angels outfield trade target Jo Adell has a hidden superpower

The New York Yankees' trade deadline objective should be clear: Avoid mid. You've already got enough "mid" for a lifetime in several key spots. Don't shop just to shop. But ... beyond the surface and the obvious gaps at catcher and in the swing-and-miss department in the bullpen ... the Yankees would be wise to target potentially undervalued players who succeed in very specific roles. While his defense is questionable — if he's not robbing a trio of homers in succession — outfielder Jo Adell of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim has remarkable value as a platoon option against left-handed pitching. This gives him value on a potential Yankees roster, even in a world where Cody Bellinger, Spencer Jones and Trent Grisham are all healthy and effective.

Adell, a former top-tier prospect now in the post-hype stage (you know that makes Brian Cashman salivate), is hitting .241 with 16 bombs on the season as a whole, another slightly below-average offensive campaign in another long line of 'em. If the Angels continue to value him as a controllable starting outfielder (through 2027), there won't be a match here.

But new (temporary?) head honcho John Mozeliak is a wise man. He's exploring trading Zach Neto, Jose Soriano and Reid Detmers for hauls in a way the previous regime never would've. And he should know that, while Adell won't command a princely sum, the Yankees (and many other teams) could use an athletic outfielder who hits .313 with a .943 OPS and 10 homers against left-handed pitching this season.

It's not all power, either. Look at how effortlessly he ties this game in Texas, deployed as a pinch-hitter to counteract the lefty reliever's arrival.

How nice it would be to have someone you can unequivocally count on in the clutch, with their heartbeat slowed to the proper degree.

Jo Adell could be Yankees' Jasson Domínguez replacement if trade deadline gets wild

Now, the easier move is to continue to bet on Domínguez's still-tantalizing talent rather than surrendering assets for Adell. Somehow, Domínguez has found his stride against lefties this year after being terrorized by them in seasons past, hitting .286 with a .758 OPS against them (as opposed to .208/.618 vs. right-handers).

But if the right trade deadline deal materializes and requires Domínguez, swapping in another defensive question mark who's a more dependably electric hitter against southpaws wouldn't be the worst decision.

The Yankees need to stay the course and value Adell properly. But if the Angels and Yankees can align on a smaller deal here, Cashman may be able to relive the glory of his Aaron Hicks trade (don't laugh) and emphasize the strengths of another former top prospect turned distressed asset.

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