The New York Yankees have surged out to a huge lead in the AL East and are considered favorites to win the World Series for the second straight year, but they are likely to search for some additions before the MLB trade deadline.
One insider believes they could get assistance from their cross-town rival.
Reporter Zack Scott appeared on SNY’s Baseball Night in New York to examine prospective infield trade possibilities, including New York Mets veteran Jeff McNeil.
Yankees Could Look to Queens for Help.
Scott indicated that the Yankees could take advantage of the roster crunch in Queens. When McNeil returned from injury in April, the Mets sent former top prospect Brett Baty to Triple-A Syracuse, but Baty thrived in the minors and was quickly promoted back to the Mets.
“They just told me to go down there and keep doing what I had been doing for the past couple of weeks,” Baty told the New York Post. “Pick up where I left off.”
Baty is temporarily filling in for outfielder Jesse Winker, who suffered an oblique injury and will most likely be sidelined until late July, but the Mets will face another roster constraint when Winker returns.
Scott suggested the Mets deal McNeil to the Yankees before the trade deadline. McNeil has two seasons remaining on his $50 million contract extension and might provide much-needed assistance to the Yankees.
“The Mets have some surplus,” he explained. “Maybe Jeff McNeil would be a great fit for the Yankees.”
The Mets, like the Yankees, have World Series aspirations and may be unwilling to part with a consistent hitter and former batting title winner. The Mets presently top the NL East and are seeking to repeat last year’s run to the NL Championship Series, so the Yankees may need to offer an appealing trade package to persuade the Mets to part with McNeil.
Other trade targets for the Yankees.
If the Yankees find it impossible to complete a trade with their crosstown opponent, there may be other choices. Scott suggested they look at Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who has already spent two seasons in the Bronx.
As Scott mentioned, Kiner-Falefa was a versatile infielder for the Yankees.
“Kiner Falefa was traded to the Pirates from the Blue Jays at last year’s deadline,” he told me. “Prior to his time in Toronto, he joined the Yankees before the 2022 season as part of the Josh Donaldson and Gary Sánchez deal.
He played six positions for them, including four innings of pitching.”
The Yankees may potentially address other positions at the trade deadline, notably their rotation. Gerrit Cole’s Tommy John surgery in March left the Pirates with a significant vacancy at the top of the rotation, forcing him to miss the whole 2025 season.
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