3 Trade Targets Yankees Must Avoid This Summer
By Parker White
The New York Yankees are firmly in the playoff mix, but that doesn't mean they don't have holes on their roster that needs upgraded. GM Brian Cashman will be keeping his eyes open, and it wouldn't be shocking if he tried to pull off a blockbuster deal to put this team over the top in the race for another ring. However, that doesn't mean they should go all out for just anyone. Here are three trade targets the Yankees must avoid this summer.
3. OF Nick Castellanos
New York's outfield group, particularly Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, has been banged up all season, so it's not crazy to think they'll look to add another starting-caliber guy for insurance purposes-- but it might be overkill to acquire Detroit Tigers outfield rental Nick Castellanos. He's an upgrade over Brett Garnder, who's hitting just .245, but it's not like Castellanos is tearing the cover off the ball (.268 with 6 homers heading into the weekend). It's time for manager Aaron Boone to give Clint Frazier more of an everyday opportunity if Judge and Stanton are going to miss even more time.
2. LHP Madison Bumgarner
The Yankees are getting by in the starting pitching department, but with Luis Severino's unknown status and the likelihood that Domingo German won't be able to keep up his stellar work all year, they'll need an addition in the rotation. But not Madison Bumgarner. His postseason accomplishments are incredible, but that shouldn't blind everyone to the fact he hasn't pitched a full season in a couple years, and thus far in 2019 he possesses a 4.01 ERA over his first 12 starts. That's not the kind of ace -- who will cost a couple big prospects -- they should go after, especially since he'd almost certainly be a rental. Instead, Cashman should target Dallas Keuchel, who will just cost money.
1. 3B Anthony Rendon
Yes, the Yankees are without Miguel Andujar for the rest of the 2019 season, leaving a huge hole at the hot corner that could be filled by star Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon. However, Gio Urshela is doing the job as an above-average defender while slashing .338/.390/.482 with 14 extra-base hits (3 home runs) and 21 RBI over 139 at-bats. Whether Urshela can continue to swing the bat like this is irrelevant. The Yankees aren't in desperate need of a third baseman who is only a rental and would cost a pretty penny to acquire if the Nationals actually decide to put him on the market.