Per MLB.com
Aaron Hicks’ likely season-ending wrist injury means the Yankees -- who traded Mike Tauchman to the Giants last month -- are currently starting Brett Gardner and his .559 OPS in center field. Not good. Where could they turn to find a new center fielder?
Ketel Marte of the D-backs would be the best solution, though he is signed through 2022 (with affordable club options for 2023 and ’24), so the price tag to acquire him could be more than Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is willing to pay.
Pittsburgh’s Bryan Reynolds is another player who could be on the trade block, though he’s arbitration-eligible for four years beginning this winter, so he won’t come cheap, either.
Starling Marte fits the rental category, but he figures to draw interest from a number of clubs, which could spark a bidding war that drives up his price, too.
Michael A. Taylor has been playing well for the Royals after signing a one-year, $1.75 million deal last offseason. Kansas City has been hovering around .500 to remain in the mix in the AL Central, but he could prove to be a cheap alternative if he becomes available.
Bottom line: finding a new center fielder won’t be an easy task for the Yankees, but if they believe such a move is necessary, there are options out there if they’re willing to pay the freight.
Do we have a center fielder we can trade? Poor Yankees.