Pablo Lopez, Miami Marlins (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
With the Fernando Tatis Jr. trade rumors dead, there are still three players the New York Yankees can trade for.
The New York Yankees did have themselves a big win this offseason in retaining superstar outfielder and 2022 AL MVP Aaron Judge on a nine-year, $360 million contract. But, the team remains relatively the same, with the team’s lone addition being relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle.
This week, there was a rumor that the Yankees were targeting San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. in a trade. That rumor has been debunked by FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray.
Even with Tatis off the board, there are still quality players the Yankees can target on the trade market. Here are three players that the Yankees and general manager Brian Cashman should consider trading for this offseason.
Yankees trade targets not named Fernando Tatis Jr. No. 3: Pablo Lopez, SP, Miami Marlins
How about explore a trade target from last year’s trade deadline? Of course, that’s Miami Marlins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez.
At this past season’s trade deadline, it sounded like the Yankees and Marlins were near a deal for Lopez and infielder Miguel Rojas, which would have sent Gleyber Torres to Miami. However, the Marlins were asking for the team’s No. 3 prospect in Oswald Peraza, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, and the Yankees were unwilling to move him.
This past season, Lopez recorded a 3.75 ERA, a 1.167 WHIP, 174 strikeouts, and 53 walks in 180.0 innings (32 starts). Lopez has held an ERA under 4.00 in each of the past three seasons.
The Yankees are in a position where they need to bolster their roster to have a shot at getting past the Houston Astros in the postseason. Not to mention, Judge told the Yankees that he would have to see some improvements.
If the Marlins were looking for Peraza, they may have to explore a trade after spring training, when the Yankees figure out who their starting shortstop will be. Peraza and No. 1 prospect Anthony Volpe are in consideration for the role.