The New York Yankees are in desperate need of help. Which prospects could be traded to bolster this struggling lineup?
As the Aug. 1 MLB trade deadline approaches, many fans are wondering what the New York Yankees can do to turn this season around. Some are wondering if they will buy at the deadline or not. The Yankees are in last place in the American League East. Prior to play on July 29, they're 3.5 games out of an AL Wild Card spot. The Yankees are still in the hunt, but their playoff hopes are shaky.
If the Yankees are going to find a way to get back into the playoff picture, they need their big bats to wake up. In Aaron Judge's first at-bat after returning from the IL on Friday, he was walked three times. Frankly, if nothing changes with this lineup, Judge is going to see a lot of walks.
What's missing this season which the Yankees had last season was protection for Judge. The likes of DJ LeMahieu, Anthony Rizzo, Giancarlo Stanton, and Gleyber Torres in the same lineup as Judge last year meant Judge was seeing better pitches because there were other hitters to fear. This year, Torres is really the only one of those four players who is pulling weight.
Recently, the struggling players have each shown glimpses of what they're capable of. Not only do the Yankees need their big guys to pull their weight, but they also need another bat or two. Those bats should come in the form of an outfielder and perhaps a third baseman. They might also trade for a catcher following Jose Trevino's season-ending surgery.
To bring in MLB talent from another team, an organization has to be willing to let go of prospects when needed. No. 1 prospect Jasson Dominguez should be off-limits. Here are three prospects on trade watch ahead of the deadline.
Yankees prospect trade watch: Oswald Peraza
A trade involving Peraza would hurt because he's noticeably become a fan-favorite. While a Peraza trade once seemed unlikely, it's perhaps become more likely because of the state the Yankees are in. Peraza hit .306 in 18 MLB games in 2022 and .173 in 19 games this year. It could be said that he just didn't have enough time to get cooking in the big leagues this season.
Peraza was recently sent down when Aaron Judge returned from the IL. He's slashing .261/.352/.495 in Triple-A this year. The 23-year-old is considered MLB-ready or very close to MLB-ready. If another club that needs an infielder, Peraza could be seeing significant time in an MLB lineup, which isn't happening on the Yankees right now.
There hasn't been room for Peraza in the infield this season. He lost out on the shortstop job to rookie Anthony Volpe, and Gleyber Torres is at second base. The Yankees have employed an expensive tandem at the hot corner, with Josh Donaldson (now injured) as their third baseman and utility infielder DJ LeMahieu seeing plenty of time there, as well.
Volpe isn't a trade candidate, but Torres is always part of the trade rumor mill. If Torres is dealt, Peraza would stay, and vice versa. Another route for the Yankees would be offloading LeMahieu's contract and awarding Peraza third base.
As the trade deadline looms, the Yankees know they need to make a move. Would they be willing to part with Peraza? It certainly depends on what they'd get in return. If the Yankees could get an outfielder with a hot bat or a catcher replacement, they might pull the trigger.
Yankees prospect trade watch: Estevan Florial
Estevan Florial is a candidate for a trade deadline deal. Once a promising outfielder with a left-handed bat, he has struggled to make it at the MLB level with the Yankees. He's batting .185 with 21 strikeouts in 63 MLB at-bats. Florial is slashing .301/.395/.595 in Triple-A this season, but his high strikeout rate is a reason for concern. He has struck out 105 times in 306 at-bats. Since getting sent back to Triple-A in April, Florial hasn't come back up.
Out of minor league options, Florial made the Opening Day roster in 2023 for the first time. The Yankees then DFA'd him shortly after. He cleared waivers and returned to Triple-A. If the Yankees promote Florial and then try to send him back down, they risk losing him for nothing, as it's possible he wouldn't clear waivers again.
The Yankees have a decision to make regarding Florial. The fact that thy've left him in Triple-A this season while they've been desperate for outfield help says a lot about where Florial is at with the organization. It's anybody's guess who the Yankees are going to run out in the corner outfield positions each day, including players who are primarily infielders. Florial, an actual outfielder, isn't getting a shot for a reason. His high strikeout rate could be that reason.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post thinks that Florial will be dealt in a trade before the deadline. Considering Florial is out of options and he's yet to make an impact on the Yankees, they could include him in a trade package. The 25-year-old still has a chance to make it in the big leagues, but at this point, he might benefit from a change of scenery. Will another team be interested in taking him? It depends what the package is, but keep an eye out for Florial to be on the move.
Yankees prospect trade watch: Clayton Beeter
The Yankees could trade one or more of their pitching prospects, such as Clayton Beeter, in their quest to improve their MLB roster. Beeter was acquired last year from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Joey Gallo. CBS Sports listed him on their Prospect Watch list as their pick for the Yankee who could be traded ahead of the deadline.
The 24-year-old RHP is currently a Triple-A starter after being called up from Double-A earlier this season. Beeter is having a strong season with a 2.36 ERA and a 7-3 record in the minors. He does struggle with control and issues a lot of walks, though. If Beeter is still with the Yankees after this season, he will need to be on the 40-man roster to be protected from the Rule 5 draft.
Recent rumors have Beeter linked to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for a corner outfielder, Dylan Carlson. The Yankees are interested in Carlson, and the Cardinals are looking for a pitching prospect. Beeter could show up in a different trade package if nothing comes to fruition with the Cardinals.
Would the Yankees be willing to part with the pitching prospect they just acquired last year? They'll have to give up some strong pieces to receive a significant return, and that could mean parting with a pitcher like Beeter.
Keep an eye on the Yankees between now and Tuesday's trade deadline.