SSTN Mailbag: Trade Deadline Extravaganza!

In a few short days, we'll know if the Yankees managed to improve the team significantly or not. As I have often said over the years, I don't necessarily care whether the Yankees go out and get stars; I care if the pieces they acquire fit the roster and make them more formidable when they get to the playoffs. When the stars align and the fit and acquisition cost allow the Yankees to acquire a star, I'm thrilled, but I don't want to win the tabloids; the Mets have done that a fair amount over the last few years both in the offseason and at the trade deadline, and it's gotten them less than nowhere. I want to look at the roster on August 4th and say, "Yes, I believe that the Yankees are better suited to win in October in measurable ways." If they do that, I'll be more thrilled that I would be if the Yankees acquired a big name.

As an aside, I've made my annual pilgrimage to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and sat in the outfield at Eldredge Park in Orleans to watch the Orleans Firebirds take on the Brewster Whitecaps. The Cape Cod Baseball League is the best amateur summer league in the country, and most big league teams weight performance in the Cape League above that of standard NCAA play due to the level of competition and the opportunity to scout players in a wood bat league. While I missed some of the prospects I hoped to see, I did get to watch Adrian Beltre Jr. (yes, that Adrian Beltre's son) hit and pitch and have often watched the stars of tomorrow play before they hit the big time. It's my annual plea: if you live in the Northeast and you've never been to a Cape League game, go. As far as I'm concerned, the Cape League is a real life field of dreams, and I spend my whole year looking forward to it.

As always, thanks for the great questions and keep them coming to SSTNReadermail@gmail.com. In this week's SSTN Mailbag, we've got a host of trade deadline questions. Let's get at it:

Fuster asks (as part of a larger discussion): as for Trout......

the Yankees can build a trade, but will he come?

The noise is getting louder that Mike Trout is softening on his hard no-trade stance. It's a bad contract, truly. It's worse on paper than the one that Giancarlo Stanton signed seemingly a million years ago with the Marlins. That said, I still believe that Mike Trout can continue to be a positive contributor both in the outfield and at the plate for at least this year and maybe a couple of more thereafter.

If the goal is to get the Yankees over the hump and win a championship, I would seriously call the Angels and see if there's a deal to be worked out. Stanton would never accept a deal to the Angels, but if the Yankees could unload McMahon and Doval's salaries as an upfront salary offset of some kind (and some monetary relief beginning in 2028 to extend the length of Trout's contract), the Yanks could include a couple of good prospects to make the deal somewhat palatable for the Angels.

As Fuster noted above, the real question is whether Trout would be willing to come. At this stage of his career, I have a feeling that Trout is ready to win. Those are the whispers. I'd love it if the Yankees called the Angels to check-in. As of the other day, the Yankees have a couple of potential openings in the outfield...

Fuster also asks: Matt Chapman and Dakota Jordan from the Giants

for McMahon and Lalane

San Fran saves a good deal of money with Chapman gone and might be able to squeeze a bit of additional value from Devers' deal if they can use him at 3B

for the Yankees, it's a chance to gain a CFer for 2028

It's not a terrible idea, particularly compared to some others I've seen around in recent days. Chapman gives the lineup more right-handed thump right now, and I can see where a good prospect and supposed CF would be enticing.

However, the reality is somewhat different. Chapman is suffering through the worst season of his career, and that was before an abdominal strain sent him to the IL at the beginning of July. He remains a great defender who is really underrated at the little things he does well, but I worry about Chapman's drop in launch angle and how little he's squared the ball up this year. I still believe there's real talent there, but he's struggled this year and I'm not sure he can right the ship without an offseason.

As for Jordan, I might be way off in my very limited looks at him, but I give him almost no chance to stick in CF. That is a large body that is nearly certain to shift to an outfield corner, and soon.

I think the Yankees can do better on the trade market this year.

Alan B. asks: Andy: IF Adley Rutschman is really on the block,  what would be your offer to O's GM Mike Elias so that he won't just hang up the phone on you? Mine would be Escarra, Elmer Rodriguez, & Kyle Carr. 

No offense, Alan: if that were the opening offer, Elias won't be calling back after hanging up. Rutschman comes with huge pedigree, is living up to it this season, and is part of the Orioles' core. He's also one of the best catchers in baseball, at a time when catching is sparse around the league. Add it all up, and even with just one year of team control remaining after this one, I think Rutschman would be the most valuable catcher available at the trade deadline. I would jump at the chance to grab Rutschman, but a deal is tricky.

I think Escarra would have to be the catcher going the other way, because I am nearly positive that the Orioles wouldn't have interest in Austin Wells without getting a clear picture of the medicals. Like Alan, I am convinced that Wells has been playing hurt again, as evidenced by the way his hand often comes off the bat after it makes contact with a ball. I think other teams see it as well, and despite Wells' talent, I don't think he's likely to reach the ceiling his talent and coachability indicate.

From there, I really don't see how George Lombard Jr. isn't part of the deal, but I think he has a role to play as soon as this season. I wouldn't include him in my initial offer, but I think the deal ultimately would have to include a prospect of that caliber.

The O's need help all over, particularly on the mound, so here's my opening offer for Rutschman:

Yanks get: C Rutschman

Orioles get: C Escarra, SP Elmer Rodriguez, SP Carlos Lagrange, OF Wilberson De Pena

De Pena might be the biggest upside position player in the Yankees' system right now (I have no idea how the Angels decided to deal him for Oswald Peraza, but I digress). He's the lottery ticket. Escarra gives them a controllable catcher who defends well and might have upside yet with the bat. Rodriguez and Lagrange give the O's real upper-level, near-MLB ready pitching talent that the club sorely lacks. This deal would hurt, but I don't think it hurts as much as an actual deal might. I think the O's would want more than this for Rutschman, but this is how I'd get the ball rolling.

Patrick asks: Alright. The deadline is here and you're the GM, not Cashman. What realistic moves would you personally make to make the Yankees better[?]

There's been a ton of chatter about some really big fish out on the open waters of the trade market, but I still am having trouble seeing a lot of these guys move. I think Skubal will get dealt, but I expect Goodman, Rutschman, and Miller, for example, to stay put. With that in mind, here are the 3 moves I'd make if I were the Yankees' GM:

1.) Acquire RP Adrian Morejon from the Padres for SP Elmer Rodriguez and INF Kaeden Kent

Miller is one of MLB's biggest stars and probably the best reliever baseball has seen in some time. Morejon is nearly Miller's equal, and costs a heck of a lot less to acquire. The Padres still probably think they can win this season (because GM AJ Preller always thinks he can swing and hit a home run). The only depth that the Padres can deal from to improve a completely impotent lineup is to deal from the team's greatest strength: the bullpen. If this is a team that thinks it can win this season, it's not dealing Miller, but Morejon might be a luxury too large to maintain, especially considering the fact that he's on an expiring contract.

Morejon fits the Yankees brilliantly. He throws as hard as anyone in baseball, averaging 99.5 MPH on his sinker, he strikes people out, and he keeps the ball in the infield when guys make contact. He's among the best relievers in the game, and he's left-handed, yet another plus. Morejon won't be cheap, but he won't be a farm system clearing deal either. I'm offering a SP with years of team control with upside to be formidable outside of Yankee Stadium and a solid infield prospect. If they wanted the Yankees to up the second piece in the deal, I think there's room to make it happen.

2.) Acquire SS Zach Neto from the Angels for SS Anthony Volpe, SP Carlos Lagrange, SS Dax Kilby, and SP Bryce Cunningham

Of the players who are realistically on the trading block, Neto has me more interested than almost anyone. The Yankees need significantly more impact in their infield and from the right side of the plate. Neto doesn't have as flashy a name as some, but he has multiple years of team control remaining, has consistently proven to be an above average offensive player with pop from the right side. His defense at SS is poor, but he has a rocket for an arm and appears well-suited for a move to either 2B or 3B after this season.

The Angels need to kickstart yet another rebuild, and dealing Neto is one of their best options to add real prospects to the system. Volpe doesn't have a ton of value on the trade market right now, but he won't have a place on the Yankees' roster after this move, and he'll give the Angels a warm body for this season and an interesting reclamation project. Lagrange and Cunningham add pitching prospects to the system, which the Angels need desperately. Kilby gives the Angels their SS of the future.

This deal really hurts, but Neto makes the Yankees far better than almost any other trade option I see on the market. This is the type of supporting actors a championship roster needs.

3.) Acquire C Jonah Heim from the Athletics for OF Jace Avina and RP Sean Paul Liñan

(Note: I don't think Ryan Jeffers is going anywhere with the Twins in the thick of the playoff hunt, so I'm going with the best of the rest)

Heim is a switch-hitting catcher who has been around the block and is a pro's pro. He can absolutely learn a pitching staff on the fly, and he's a solid defender with a decent bat. Heim is clearly a guy the A's will look to sell, and he doesn't have a ton of value, aside from the fact that catching value is inflated due to scarcity. Heim demolishes left-handed pitching and is usable against righties as well. Austin Wells has been awful at the plate this season, but he's hitting .195/.298/.415 since July 5th, which isn't good, but it's usable with his defense. The Yankees could live with a good platoon partner with Wells behind the plate if that's what Wells does against righties while Heim mashes lefties.

The A's get a guy who is clicking at AA with a floor as a 4th outfielder in Avina, while Liñan might have the best change-up in the minor leagues. He doesn't have enough fastball right now, so he's in the bullpen, but he's an interesting lottery ticket. I don't think the A's will get much more than that for Heim.

Maybe I'm light on one or two of these trades, but this is my idea of an A+ trade deadline for the Yankees.