Yanks Could Target Outfielder Before Trade Deadline

Giancarlo Stanton joined the New York Yankees' lengthy injury list on Monday. In this picture, Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees reacts after striking out during the eighth inning of the game against the Baltimore Orioles during Opening Day at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City, March 28, 2019.

The New York Yankees are probably going to have to add at least one hitter before the 2021 MLB trade deadline. An underperforming lineup and injuries might make it difficult for the team to stand pat and complete its mission of winning a World Series.

The outfield is becoming a particular area of need for New York. Center fielder Aaron Hicks is on the injured list with a wrist injury, and surgery might be in his future. Giancarlo Stanton has also been placed on the IL with a hamstring injury. Both Stanton and Aaron Judge have been injury-prone during their time in pinstripes.

Neither Brett Gardner nor Clint Frazier is hitting higher than .171. Only three American League teams have scored fewer runs than the Yankees with a quarter of the season in the books.

The Yankees will prioritize adding a left-handed hitter this summer, according to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi. Despite Yankee Stadium’s short porch in right field, New York’s lefties have the lowest OPS in all of baseball.

The #Yankees will prioritize left-handed bats at the @MLB Trade Deadline. The team of Ruth, Gehrig, and Reggie has the worst OPS of any lineup in the majors from the left side this season. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) May 17, 2021

Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:
•Placed OF Giancarlo Stanton on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to 5/14) with a left quad strain.
•Recalled RHP Albert Abreu (#84) from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 17, 2021

This year’s trade deadline is set for July 30, one day earlier than usual. It might take some more time for viable trade candidates to emerge as teams decide if they will be buyers or sellers.

The New York Post’s Joel Sherman suggested Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks as a potential target of the Yankees. Marte checks most of the boxes for what Brian Cashman might try to acquire.

Marte is a switch hitter that can play the outfield, as well as the infield. It was only two seasons ago that he hit .329/.389/.592 and finished fourth in the NL MVP voting. Marte is currently rehabbing from an injury, but he plays for a team that is unlikely to be in the playoff hunt as the season moves along.

The Yankees would probably have to offer up a few promising prospects for the 27-year-old. It remains to be seen if New York would be willing to do so.

Pittsburgh's Bryan Reynolds and San Francisco’s Mike Yastrzemski are other left-handed hitting outfielders whom Sherman named as players to watch for as the Yankees consider making a trade.

Through 40 games, the Yankees are 22-18. New York trails the Boston Red Sox by two games in the AL East.

The Yankees have remained favorites to win the American League pennant.