Yankees poised to miss out on perfect trade piece after Emmanuel Clase gambling drama

The New York Yankees have been repeatedly exposed for their stunning lack of fundamentals this season (and last season, and the one before...). Their lineup, while league-leading in terms of sum-total production, has been worryingly boom or bust as always, racking up massive run totals against lesser teams while struggling to arrive against elite right-handers. Yes, that is the story of baseball; you're not supposed to absolutely bash baseball's best pitching. That's why it's best to have a pest you can rely on to start rallies when the going gets tough, supplementing the rest of the order's swing-from-the-heels greatness.

The Yankees need Steven Kwan. At the risk of sounding like an uncle, they need him more than they need another 30-homer whiff monster tacked onto a lineup full of them. A natural table-setter with elite defense and speed would do wonders for this roster, and adding Kwan would work better than trying to shoehorn Anthony Volpe into the role.

For months, Kwan showing up on the Yankees' doorstep felt like too much of a fantasy to even entertain. Suddenly, though, in early July, the trade winds began to pick up. When Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase was placed on leave Tuesday while an investigation into potential gambling impropriety took place, Ken Rosenthal delivered the hammer we were hoping for, noting that a Kwan trade suddenly had increased in likelihood (and, if not now, perhaps in the offseason).

But, if it's now ... the Yankees won't be involved. According to Rosenthal, the Dodgers, Padres, Phillies, and Blue Jays are lurking in his market. All smart teams. New York must cross their fingers this pursuit makes it to the Winter Meetings.

Yankees need to hope Steven Kwan trade talks reach Winter Meetings so they can have a chance

Outfield may not be the Yankees' largest (or second-largest, or fifth-largest...) concern, at the moment, but its long-term future is up for grabs. Aaron Judge, currently on the shelf, now has a serious elbow condition to battle. Will he be able to continue to safely make the throw from right field, or will he be a first baseman sooner than anyone anticipated? Cody Bellinger has a player option to decide upon when the season ends. Trent Grisham is a free agent.

If the Yankees were to acquire Kwan in exchange for one of their top chips — Spencer Jones? Cam Schlittler? — they could slide Jasson Dominguez over to his natural position in center, move Bellinger to right if they bring him back, and nurse Judge back to health. They could also ... trade Dominguez for him, sacrificing upside for a known quantity.

It would be just about the least dangerous version of that type of deal the Yankees could make, given how invaluable it would be to have Kwan, a Man Who Doesn't Make Outs, atop your lineup in October wreaking havoc. As it turns out, though, New York will just have to wait until the offseason and hope nobody makes an aggressive play this week. Despite the sudden Judge-sized vacancy, they're not involved.