The New York Yankees are poised to contend for a World Series title this season, but they may seek to bolster their roster as the season progresses.
Currently sitting in second place in the American League East with a 23-13 record, the Yankees have a strong team. While they don’t necessarily need additions to compete, especially with key players returning from injuries soon, it wouldn’t hurt to strengthen their squad.
As the trade deadline approaches, there will likely be intriguing players available, and New York appears committed to making a strong push in the 2024 season. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, one surprising potential trade candidate could be Toronto Blue Jays ace Yusei Kikuchi if the Blue Jays fail to turn their season around.
“The Blue Jays are currently in last place in the American League East,” Rosenthal noted. “With a franchise-record $225 million payroll and their two top young stars facing free agency after next season, they may become available if the team doesn’t improve.”
Players like Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are under the spotlight, as are Jordan Romano and Chris Bassitt, who are set to become free agents after 2025. Additionally, there are key free agents at the end of this season, including Kikuchi, Justin Turner, and Kevin Kiermaier.
Despite Toronto’s struggles, Kikuchi has performed well in the 2024 season, boasting a 2.72 ERA in seven starts with a solid strikeout-to-walk ratio. Since he’ll be a free agent at the end of the season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him traded. While trading within the division could complicate matters, the Yankees have shown a willingness to make deals with division rivals in the past, such as the Boston Red Sox.
Although a trade is unlikely, acquiring Kikuchi could significantly strengthen the Yankees’ pitching rotation.
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