New York Yankees: Could these trade targets helps missing offense after West Coast trip?

The New York Yankees have (hopefully) hit rock bottom after being swept by the Los Angeles Angels, capping a 1-5 West Coast trip. Facing poor pitching from both the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles, the Yankees’ offense managed just 21 runs in that span. The Yankees also struck out 42 times in the three games against Los Angeles. Clearly, the move from Dillon Lawson to Sean Casey did not bring a significant change yet.

Clearly, Brian Cashman’s preseason belief in Josh Donaldson and Aaron Hicks has not shown on the field, as neither will make much of an impact. Hicks is now employed by the Baltimore Orioles, where he is putting up solid numbers, and Donaldson may miss the rest of the season with a calf injury. Both third base and left field are in dire need of an upgrade, but will a 50-47 record incentivize Cashman to act? Fans can only hope so.

These trades could boost the offense for the New York Yankees

Jeimer Candelario is a name to keep an eye on, as he is currently playing for the dreadful Washington Nationals. Candelario is a switch-hitter, which is needed to break up a righty-heavy lineup, who plays a strong third base. Baseball Savant ranks Candelario in the 92nd percentile of Outs Above Average, a stark difference from his 2022 with Detroit. Candelario owns an .819 OPS, compared to Donaldson’s .659 OPS. Candelario has launched 15 home runs this season, quickly approaching his career high of 19 from 2018. The switch-hitting veteran has cut his strikeout rate to a career-low 20.7 percent, and has walked at a respectable 8.0 percent clip. The best news is that an expiring contract means Candelario will not cost a ton of prospect capital.

In left field, Dylan Carlson of the St. Louis Cardinals has been a speculative fit for a bit now. Another switch-hitter, Carlson’s offense is lacking a bit, with a career .727 OPS. Still, strong outfield defense is hard to come by, and Carlson has produced three outs above average in center field. Only 24 years old, Carlson still has time to improve his offense, but an 11.0 percent walk rate is a good foundation to build on. Carlson does not hit the ball excessively hard, but sticking him in left field has to be a better option than the current situation.

Also on the Cardinals is Lars Nootbaar, who is a popular trade candidate as well. Nootbaar is one of the more disciplined hitters in the league, with double-digit walk rates in all three of his MLB seasons. With more team control, Nootbaar is likely to command a decent haul, but a strong farm system for New York might make a good trade partner.

Regardless of what Cashman and company decide to do, the Yankees clearly need a boost for this offense.