New York Yankees trade talk: 3 way-too-early trade targets

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With the New York Yankees looking very much like a team that could go deep into the postseason in 2022, what players could the Yankees look for in a trade that could make their team even stronger? Here are three possibilities, including a pair of players from the Chicago Cubs.

A look at 3 way-too-early trade targets who could boost the New York Yankees in their chase for the World Series

Let’s start behind the plate with Willson Contreras of the Chicago Cubs. We detailed why Contreras would be a perfect fit for the Yankees in this article, but the Yankees have not improved much at catcher since we published the article a few days ago. Entering Tuesday’s play, the Yankees catching tandem of Kyle Higashioka and Jose Trevino have posted a minus-0.7 bWAR. That’s tied for 23rd-lowest in all of baseball with, among others, two other teams in the American League East (Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox).

Bringing Contreras from the Windy City to the Big Apple just makes too much sense for it not to happen. There are very few catchers currently in the game who can make a difference behind the plate and at the plate as well, and Contreras fits into that category. His home runs (five) and RBI (14) are more than New York’s catchers have combined to produce so far this season.

With Higashioka missing a bit of time recently with flu-like symptoms, it brought to light just how thin the current options are for the Yankees behind the plate. That issue can be eliminated quickly by the Yankees trading for Contreras, but the asking price will not be cheap. Plenty of teams will be looking to upgrade at catcher. Will the Yankees be willing to spend enough to grab a player who could be a game-changer behind the plate?

Apr 7, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Ian Happ (8) hits a two run double against the Milwaukee Brewers during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /

Ian Happ of the Chicago Cubs could be a potential trade target for the New York Yankees

Along with Contreras coming over from the Cubs, the New York Yankees could use the services of the versatile Ian Happ, who has played left field and center field for Chicago this season but also has time at second and third base as recently as last season. Happ is versatile and could solve some issues for the Yankees, particularly in the outfield where Yankees outfielders have combined to post a bWAR of 0.9 this season, well behind league-leading Minnesota’s 2.9.

The 27-year-old Happ is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the 2023 season after inking a one-year, $6.825 million deal to avoid arbitration with the Cubs for this season. He is arbitration-eligible again next season.

A first-round selection (ninth overall) in the 2015 MLB draft, Happ has played six seasons in a Cubs uniform. This year, he is slashing .286/.399/.437 heading into Tuesday’s action, leads the Cubs in batting average, and is tied with Willson Contreras for the team lead in OPS+ at 138.

The switch-hitting Happ would add a jolt to the Yankees outfield as well as provide some versatility for the team as well. Like Contreras, there will likely be several teams interested in prying Happ away from the Cubs.

Apr 23, 2022; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Frankie Montas (47) delivers a pitch against the Texas Rangers during the second inning at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports /

Frankie Montas of the Oakland A’s could be a potential trade target for the New York Yankees

Perhaps the most coveted player of all once the MLB trade deadline starts to draw near, Frankie Montas will have plenty of suitors looking to free him from the Oakland A’s and insert him right in the middle of a pennant chase. Among them will likely be the Yankees, a team that has already been linked to trying to win the Montas sweepstakes, according to Jon Heyman.

The 29-year-old right-hander has one year of arbitration left and is scheduled to be a free agent following the 2023 campaign. With his demand, bringing Montas on board will likely cost any team some top prospects as Oakland has focused on rebuilding its farm system by trading off pieces like Matt Olson, Chris Bassitt, and Sean Manaea since the end of last season.

Those trades also provide some thought on what Montas might cost a team. Looking back at the Bassitt deal that involved the New York Mets, Oakland received two prospects (J.T. Ginn and Adam Oller) in return that are now ranked in the organization’s top 30 prospects, with Ginn coming in at seven.

Montas is tied for the MLB lead with nine starts made this season, posting a 3.55 ERA/3.30 FIP/1.007 WHIP. He would add to an already strong Yankees rotation. While there are other positions where the Yankees need an upgrade more, Montas would provide quality depth and keep other teams from acquiring him as well.

Of the three trade targets mentioned in this article, Montas could cost the most and make the smallest impact on an area for the Yankees that need improving.

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What do you think? What moves would you make if you were Yankees general manager Brian Cashman? Let us know in the comments section below.

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