Yankees Rumors: Luis Gil trade buzz, bullpen targets revealed, Nationals CF option

We're not quite at the point in the year where the rumor mill is churning in full force, making this current wave of New York Yankees rumors something of an appetizer and a sign that things are going to get much crazier very soon. The looming lockout sets a transaction deadline of December 1, unless the league and the players' union miraculously come to an agreement before then.

That means the month of November is going to be fast and furious. We've already heard about the Yankees' supposed interest in trading for Xavier Edwards, as well as a possible connection to Randy Arozarena. Now, we've got a stack of more fresh rumors to sort through.

Yankees are expected to shop Luis Gil ahead of the November 20 non-tender deadline

It's amazing how far Luis Gil has fallen. The 28-year-old went from 2024 AL Rookie of the Year to a potential centerpiece of a Kyle Tucker trade ahead of the 2025 season to a guy on the roster bubble.

Now, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, New York is expected to explore trading Gil before the November 20 non-tender deadline. At this point, he's a reclamation project who, at best, could fetch a change-of-scenery candidate or a lottery-ticket-type prospect or two.

"Keep in mind, Gil and [Clarke Schmidt] are guys, they do not have minor league options left," Sherman explained. "So, they're either on the team next year, or they have to go through waivers. So, if the Yankees feel like they can't help in the rotation, they can't help in the bullpen, there's going to be a thought about either non-tendering or trying to trade one or both."

Sounds like Schmidt is very much in the same boat as Gil, though his recent injury woes might make him even more likely to be non-tendered.

A pair of bullpen arms appear to be in the Yankees' crosshairs on the trade market

After making mostly addition-by-subtraction moves to the bullpen last offseason and failing to address it aside from trading away Camilo Doval at the trade deadline, it sounds like maybe, just maybe, Brian Cashman is going to get serious about revitalizing the relief corps.

On a recent episode of the Pinstripe Post Podcast, Sherman revealed a pair of reliever trade targets that he says the Yankees have liked for a long time, right-handers Jeremiah Estrada and Anthony Bender.

Estrada of the San Diego Padres is a high-octane arm with a big strikeout rate, though he's not without concerns. The 28-year-old hit the IL thrice in 2026, starting with right elbow tendonitis in April, followed by right knee inflammation in June, and finally a right shoulder impingement ended his season early on August 26. His average fastball velocity fell to 95.8 miles per hour this year from 97.9 miles per hour in 2025, and while he struck out 30.2% of batters he faced, he also issued walks at a 12.7% clip.

Marlins reliever Anthony Bender has been someone who has been linked to the Yankees before. He'd also add a much-needed strikeout punch to the 'pen, but in a different way. The 31-year-old is very much an East-West pitcher, with his slider dominating his pitch usage coming in at 65% this year. He pairs that with a sinker that he goes to 32% of the time. Bender's season was impacted for a second straight year with a right shin stress reaction. He tossed 34 1/3 innings in 2026, posting a 2.62 ERA with a 29.3% strikeout rate and an 8.6% walk rate.

It should be noted that Estrada is controllable through the 2029 season, while Bender hits free agency at the end of next season.

Yankees could eye a potential center field platoon partner for Spencer Jones

Lastly, Sherman reported that the Yankees have had past interest in Washington Nationals center fielder Jacob Young, and thinks that they could revisit a trade for the 27-year-old again this offseason to partner with, or even ensure against, Spencer Jones and possible regression.

Young is a glove-first, right-handed hitting outfielder with speed. His bat is very much a work in progress, with him posting a .648 OPS in 2024 and a .583 OPS in 2025 before turning in a career-best .707 performance in 2026. The biggest development in his offensive game has been his ability to hit lefties, slashing .282/.353/.423 against southpaws this year.

It's an interesting fit because, despite being a left-handed hitter, Jones performance against left-handed pitching was one of his biggest strengths. There are questions about his defense, though, and Young would be a nice hedge there. Young also feels like a Yankees kind of player in the Harrison Bader mold.

He has three years of team control remaining, meaning he won't come cheap, especially since his skill set and position could have some viewing him as a starting-caliber player rather than a fourth outfielder. This could make sense, but it all depends on cost.

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