The New York Yankees have an improved roster in comparison to what they fielded in the 2022 playoffs.
Frankie Montas should be better, Michael King and Ron Marinaccio should return to the active roster, and they re-signed Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo.
They also signed free agents Tommy Kahnle and Carlos Rodon.
The lineup per se, however, is the same spotty, streaky unit that failed to get much going since late July until the end of their stint in the playoffs.
The Yankees need to make at least one trade, if not more.
They have holes in left field, third base, and shortstop.
The starting left fielder, Aaron Hicks, has been a below-average offensive player for two straight seasons.
Josh Donaldson, the third baseman, was a great fielder but a below-average hitter; and Isiah Kiner-Falefa was a huge liability at shortstop.
It’s safe to assume that one of the kids, Oswald Peraza, Anthony Volpe, or Oswaldo Cabrera, will take over at shortstop since the team didn’t address the position.
DJ LeMahieu could be third baseman.
What about left field?
Which LF option is most appealing for the #Yankees in 2023?
Internal: Oswaldo Cabrera, Estevan Florial, Aaron Hicks
Free agents: David Peralta, Trey Mancini, Andrew McCutchen
Blockbuster trade: Bryan Reynolds
Less costly trade: Max Kepler, Jake McCarthy, Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
— John Sparaco™ (@JohnSparaco) December 30, 2022
One of the trades the Yankees should make involves bringing in Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds.
Reynolds is a plus hitter with some power and is a great defender in one of the outfield corners.
He is the type of impact player the Yankees need.
The acquisition cost, however, would be steep.
I don’t want to part with Jasson for anyone, but sometimes moves must be made to build a truly dominant team.
Dominguez may end up being a better player than Reynolds, but is likely still a year or two away at best.
Would you do this deal?! Warren/Dominguez for Reynolds? https://t.co/IScd0vxHov
— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) January 3, 2023
The other player the Yankees should be targeting if they are definitely out of the race for Reynolds should be Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler.
#MLB MOCK 3 TEAM TRADE:#Yankees acquire:
OF Max Kepler
RP Bryan Baker#Orioles acquire:
2B Gleyber Torres
SP Ronny Henriquez #Twins acquire:
SS Jorge Mateo
SP Luis Gil— MLB MOCK TRADES (@mlbmocktrades) January 4, 2023
Kepler theoretically would be easier to acquire in terms of prospects.
Will the Yankees really pursue one of these players?
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