The New York Yankees are coming together healthier for the first time this MLB season. With Aaron Judge returning in a few days, the Bombers are confident of making a late playoff push. Despite being the team with second highest payroll this season, the Yanks would still need help from outside. Many players have been linked to the team in the past few weeks. However, there are certain players the Bronx Bombers must avoid trading for, as doing so could lead to unfavorable consequences for the team. Here are three players the Yankees must not trade for at the MLB trade deadline.
Jordan Montgomery
Starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery is a former Yankee who wore pinstripes for several years. He got traded last season to St.Louis Cardinals. So far, the Yanks are winning in the trade, as Harrison Bader has become the key member of the roster. Hence, it would not make sense for them to reunite with the pitcher. He has recorded a 3.37 ERA in 20 starts. Moreover, the Cardinals are looking to sell at the trade deadline. However, the starting pitcher market is dry, which increases the demand for Jordan by ten folds. Moreover, the team already has ace Gerrit Cole and lefty Carlos Rodon at the top of the rotation. Overall, the New York-based team has no urgent need of a starting pitcher, and hence they should avoid trading Montgomery at the deadline.
Tyler O’Neill
Outfielder Tyler O’Neill is being viewed as a perfect fit for the New York Yankees. He can definitely put an end to the team’s everlasting left-field woes. In 2021, Tyler had a terrific season wherein he hit 34 home runs. However, since the past couple of seasons, the numbers have come down significantly. The Cardinals, on the other hand, have a logjam in the outfield which is promoting the team to sell. Tyler O’Neill might disrupt the team’s chemistry and cause uncertainty about playing time among their existing outfielders. Instead, the Yankees should focus on acquiring players who provide more consistent offensive output and can seamlessly fit into their lineup without causing disruptions.
Randal Grichuk
Colorado Rockies outfielder Randal Grichuk is having a strong offensive season. So far, he has hit .307 with 6 home runs, 25 RBIs, and .842 OPS. However, despite his resurgence, the Rockies sit out of playoff contention, which is encouraging the team to sell. Having said that, Randal is an impending free agent, which makes him a high-risk target. It’s not ideal for the Yankees to part ways with strong prospects for a short-term candidate. Also, the troubling injury history is a concern. All in all, Randal Grichuk is a high-risk, high-value candidate, which the Yanks should avoid trading at any cost.
In conclusion, the Yankees must be cautious and selective when approaching the MLB trade deadline. While there are undoubtedly attractive trade targets available, they must steer clear of players whose injury history, inconsistency, and control issues, respectively, could hinder the team’s chances of success.
