Potential Trade Piece for the Yankees that Nobody is Talking About

 

    As of today, the Yankees are 41-38. They sit 7.5 games back behind the Boston Red Sox in the American League East, and 5 games behind the Athletics for the second wild card. Ever since the Yankees swept the Chicago White Sox on May 23rd, they have gone 13-19 and both the offense and pitching can be blamed for that stretch. During the 32 game stretch, they have scored 129 runs (4.03 runs/game), while the pitching has allowed 144 runs (4.5 runs/game). The offense has shown some life with the resurgence of Gary Sanchez and the return of Luke Voit, but still remains a problem with the left fielders, Andujar and Frazier, and Brett Gardner still managing to play three to four times a week. The Yankees are definitely not trading away pieces. They have made the playoffs in each of the past four years with basically the same core, now they have an even better bullpen and one of the game's starting pitchers. They just have to fix the offense and they can get going again. 

Like I said earlier, the left field position has given the Yankees troubles. This can be said for both offensively and defensively. Let us start off with who was supposed to be the starting left fielder throughout the entire season, Clint Frazier. Clint Frazier has posted a slash line of: .186/.313/.317, which accumulates to a .620 OPS, and has a 82 wRC+. If you think that's bad, his defense is even worse. He has a -5 OAA among left fielders (2nd to last in front of Lourdes Gurriel Jr.), lowest catch probability and outfield jump among all outfielders. Clint Frazier is not the answer to the Yankees left field questions. 

Now onto Miguel Andujar. He was once the Yankees future third baseman. One injury and the emergence of Gio Urshela has forced Andujar to change positions to fight for playing time. Let's see how Andujar has played. His slash line on the season is .264/.293/.407, which accumulates to .700 right on the dot. He also has a 92 wRC+. That isn't the type of production you want from your LF. Let's give Andujar credit, ever since 5/27, he has a slash line of: .290/.330/.495. That is an .825 OPS and he also has a 124 wRC+ on the side too. He has played better with more playing time, but his glove in LF, like Frazier, is hurting the team and destroying his production. Miguel Andujar is not the answer at the moment, not in such an important year. 

Yankees General Manager, Brian Cashman, has been relatively quiet for the past couple of trade deadlines. The past two seasons, the Yankees were hit hard by the injury bug, but were all expected to be back in time before the playoffs. This year? Only Aaron Hicks is missing in the lineup. The Yankees have been incredibly unlucky (largest team differentials in xSLG/SLG and xwOBA/wOBA), but there has to be a time where you can't count on luck and progression. Cashman will acquire two additions this trade deadline, a starter and an outfielder. Today, I'm here to talk about that certain outfielder that is able to help. 

Since this team is underperforming, Cashman might be worried about pulling that trigger and giving too much for a hitter when the team might not even make the playoffs. If Cashman doesn't feel comfortable mortgaging the farm for a Ketel Marte or a Joey Gallo, then look no further than 1,200 miles down south. You will see corner outfielder, Adam Duvall. 

Duvall has posted a slash line of: .216/.265/.461 which comes to a .726 OPS. He also has the league average, 100 wRC+. It's nothing pretty, he has never been a guy who walks, but he has always been a slugger. Which is sort of ironic, because that's what the Yankees lack even though they have Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gary Sanchez, Luke Voit...Duvall doesn't have the best offensive production numbers, but if you look back since 5/1 he has a 115 wRC+. In the month of June alone, he has a 121 wRC+ with a .529 slugging %. He would be a key, middle of the order type of bat that can balls into the gap and the seats. On top of that, Duvall is 32nd and 31st among all outfielders in outfield jump and catch probability, respectively. So, he's a slugger who can play above average defense. He has spent most of his time in right field when playing for the Marlins, but has actually played a little of left field and center field if they want to take that route. If the Yankees are comfortable, they can deal with an Andujar-Judge-Duvall outfield, or an Andujar-Duvall-Judge outfield if they prefer to save Judge's body. 

For the price: it won't cost the Yankees an arm and a leg. Duvall has a cheap contract that won't make the Yankees go over the luxury tax with this move. The Marlins are pretty thin on LHP so one name that may come up is Ken Waldichuk. He's a southpaw who was just recently called up to the Somerset Patriots (AA). He won't be ready to play in the majors this year or the next, but he could potentially make the rotation some time during 2023. He's ranked as the Yankees 45th best overall prospect, according to Fangraphs. The key piece of this deal will be Oswaldo Cabrera. Cabrera usually plays third base for the Patriots, but has the flexibility to play shortstop and second base. The Marlins may want to move on from Brian Anderson soon and Cabrera has just under 2,000 plate appearances in the minors. He can find himself on the roster as soon as the end of the year. He is ranked as the Yankees 16th best overall prospect. With those two prospects along with some cash/international free agency money/one more lesser known prospect, the Yankees and Marlins might have themselves a deal.