The New York Yankees have been on the edge of their 28th World Series title for most of the Aaron Boone era, getting heartbreakingly close but falling in five games against the Los Angeles Dodgers last October, and they’re currently trending towards a division title and contention once again.
Brian Cashman has never been shy about spending at the trade deadline to push all the chips in to strengthen a win-now roster.
Cashman recently answered a question on SiriusXM MLB Network Radio about the Yanks’ potential deadline needs with a clear response:
“Always pitching, pitching, pitching, whether that’s adding to the rotation or adding to the bullpen.”
Heavy Sports’ Sam Bernardi believes Cashman could dream big this summer to follow his own trend.
As in, Paul Skenes-level big.
Bernardi believes the Yankees have enough to build an “enticing package” to pry Skenes from the Pittsburgh Pirates – proposing the trio of RHP Luis Gil, and two of the farm system’s top prospects, OF Spencer Jones (No. 2), and RHP Ben Hess (No. 3).
It may take even more than that. But Bernardi didn’t write it off.
“Perhaps Pittsburgh would require even more prospects, such as No. 12 OF Everson Pereira or No. 8 LHP Brock Selvidge, or an MLB-ready player like OF Jasson Dominguez. It would be a heavy price to pay, but Skenes is worth it and more,” Bernardi wrote.
“As absurd and premature as a Skenes trade seems, the Yankees have enough quality prospects and young players to build an enticing package.”
Skenes will look for a bigger spotlight eventually. From the looks of it, a bidding war with the Boston Red Sox is possible.
The Red Sox’s No. 1 position player prospect in the sport, outfielder Roman Anthony, would be Boston’s Skenes offer.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, and Philadelphia Phillies would be teams to watch as well.
All of this talk is likely premature. Skenes has star power, so his name will come up. Even if it feels forced.