3 Deadline Targets Yankees Can Obtain With Clint Frazier-Led Trade Package

The New York Yankees are sure to be aggressive this coming trade deadline. With a 38-21 record and a 2.5 game lead on the second place Tampa Bay Rays, the Bombers are one of the true title contenders in baseball. Acquiring another piece to fuel their postseason run is certainly something GM Brian Cashman has on his mind. Clint Frazier, who has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons lately, may just be the Yankees' best trade chip. The 24-year-old outfielder has 11 homers, 30 RBI, and a .857 OPS in just 150 at-bats. Though his defense is questionable, he is still young and sure to attract plenty of interest on the trade market. Frazier will see his playing time significantly reduced once Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton return, so he is likely best served as a trade chip. Here are three targets the Yankees could pursue using Frazier to headline a trade package.

1. Matt Boyd

Matt Boyd is having an excellent season for the Tigers, by any metric. The 28-year-old lefty has broken out, with career bests in ERA (3.01), WHIP (1.017), and strikeouts per nine (11.2). With Detroit out of playoff contention, they could be inclined to move Boyd, who likely won't be a part of the next great Tigers team. Though he's under contract through 2023, the Tigers may want to capitalize on the value he currently has, which may never be higher. The Yankees would likely have to surrender a few prospects outside of Frazier if they wanted to land Boyd, but starting a package with the Wildling would catch the Tigers' attention.

2. Madison Bumgarner

The 29-year-old Giants' veteran lefty could be a perfect trade deadline acquisition for the Bombers, and could be the piece the Yankees need to make a deep playoff run. Bumgarner is slated to be a free agent at the end of this season, so the Giants don't have much of a reason to hang onto him through the deadline. Bumgarner is a postseason legend, and certainly can help the Yankees in this regard, but he has struggled this season to an ERA north of 4.00. It would be painful for the Bombers to let go of Frazier for a rental, but acquiring a pitcher with Bumgarner's postseason résumé could be well worth it in the end, and he shouldn't cost much more than that, aiding an outfield-needy Giants club in the process.

3. Anthony Rendon

Rendon may not be a total need for the Yankees, but he certainly would boost their odds at a title. Anthony Rendon is one of the best third basemen in baseball, and he will be a free agent at the end of the season. The Nationals are falling out of playoff contention and they won't want to repeat the mistake they made by not trading Bryce Harper in his walk year last season. Rendon is hitting .335 this season with a ridiculous 1.111 OPS. Adding Rendon would mean sliding DJ LeMahieu back to his super utility role and having Gio Urshela come off the bench. Acquiring an elite bat as a rental would add to an already-potent lineup, and starting a package with Clint Frazier would give the Nats another young outfielder to add to their core of Victor Robles and Juan Soto.