New York Yankees: Hold off on the Kyle Schwarber talk

An ESPN podcast suggested the Yankees could revisit a former trade target. Though intriguing, a Kyle Schwarber deal doesn’t seem likely.

When the New York Yankees were engaged in trade conversations with the Chicago Cubs last summer involving star closer Aroldis Chapman, infield prospect Gleyber Torres wasn’t the first player discussed as the centerpiece of the package heading back to the Bronx. According to reports at the time, the Yanks asked the eventual world champions about slugger Kyle Schwarber.

They were immediately rebuffed, and the deal was completed with Torres headlining New York’s haul. Today, they have to be very pleased with how things turned out. Torres is the Yankees’ top prospect and one of the most highly-touted minor leaguers in all of baseball. There has been plenty of buzz about him being called up at some point this season to take over at third base for a struggling Chase Headley.

Meanwhile, Schwarber looks nothing like the player the Cubs have seen in the past. The 24-year-old is slashing .170/.294/.380 with 11 home runs and 26 RBI in 57 games. During his 2015 debut season, he hit .246/.355/.487 with 16 homers and 43 RBI in just 69 contests. Last year, of course, he missed virtually the entire season with torn knee ligaments. He unexpectedly returned for the World Series, where he went 7-for-17 (.412).

Cue the rumors that the Yanks and Cubs could resume talks about Schwarber. Per Joe Giglio of NJ.com, ESPN’s Buster Olney and Keith Law discussed the idea on a recent podcast. With the Yankees’ current problems at first base, Law points out that Schwarber could be a possible solution as he’s more of a “first base, DH-type” than an outfielder now anyway, particularly with his questionable knees.

Olney marvels at the idea of Schwarber in Yankee Stadium, and for good reason. If healthy, the lefty-hitting Schwarber could send a barrage of home runs into the short porch in right field. Law speculates that a “couple of arms” from a Yankees system now flush with talent could perhaps get a deal done. Perish any thought of Torres going back to Chicago in a “do-over” trade.

While it’s a fun and interesting idea, the conversation feels more like pure speculation than anything based on actual reports. Despite their disappointing start, the Cubs probably aren’t thinking about unloading a player like Schwarber in the middle of June. He’s still young, under team control through 2021 and probably getting his legs back under him after his injury as well.

Schwarber may look lost at the plate right now, but it feels much too premature to cut bait and trade him at a low point in his value. And despite his current struggles, you know the Cubs aren’t just going to give him up for peanuts.

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As for the Yankees, they have their own young player to remain patient with. After an amazing showing in spring training, Greg Bird‘s 2017 season hasn’t gone the way anyone expected. He stumbled through 19 games (1 HR, .450 OPS) before hitting the DL with an ankle injury. The Yanks have been bringing him along slowly in rehab, but they hope to have him back by the end of the month.

When he does return to the lineup, New York would do well to give Bird a chance to re-establish himself. Similar to how the Cubs know Schwarber and his prodigious power, the Yanks remember their young first baseman belting 11 homers in only 46 games toward the end of 2015. He’s far from being a lost cause either.

The Yankees could use upgrades at both corner infield positions, but putting up with Headley and Chris Carter there for most of the year certainly hasn’t hurt their ability to score runs. If they’re going to use any prospect capital at the trade deadline, a starting pitcher still seems like the move.

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Buying low on Schwarber is a compelling notion. Giglio does point out that with Matt Holliday only under contract for this year, Schwarber could become the full-time DH in 2018, allowing him to co-exist with Bird. The vision of Schwarber launching moon shots in Yankee Stadium – in a lineup that already features Aaron Judge – is tantalizing. But this doesn’t feel like a trade either side will ultimately choose to make.