Yankees encouraged to acquire $70 million Astros superstar in midseason blockbuster
Context:
The New York Yankees are eyeing a starting pitcher as their top target for the 2025 trade deadline due to a shortage in their rotation, despite excellent performances from Max Fried. Baseball writer Sam Bernardi suggests a hypothetical trade involving Houston Astros' left-hander Framber Valdez, which would bolster the Yankees' rotation with a strong southpaw trio. Valdez, nearing free agency, is expected to command a substantial $70 million contract, raising concerns among Yankees fans about the cost of a short-term rental. The Yankees are in a win-now mode, with pressure to maximize Aaron Judge's prime years, assuming the Astros decide to sell. However, if Valdez becomes available, other teams may offer more competitive trade packages than what the Yankees can provide with prospects Everson Pereira and Clayton Beeter.
Dive Deeper:
The Yankees' pitching rotation is currently lacking, with Max Fried performing well but only Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt secure in the lineup, prompting a search for a new starting pitcher as the trade deadline approaches.
Sam Bernardi proposes a trade for Houston Astros' pitcher Framber Valdez, suggesting he would create a strong left-handed trio with Fried and Rodón, despite being a rental player expected to demand a significant offseason payday.
Valdez, at 31 years old, is projected to seek a $70 million contract, which might be underestimated, causing some concern for Yankees fans about investing heavily in a player who may not stay long-term.
The Yankees are motivated to secure high-level talent this season to capitalize on Aaron Judge's prime, as his performance is pivotal to the team's championship aspirations.
There is uncertainty about whether the Astros will decide to trade Valdez, and if they do, the competition could offer more enticing packages than the Yankees' proposed prospects, Everson Pereira and Clayton Beeter.
The number-one target for the New York Yankees at the 2025 trade deadline is clearly a starting pitcher. The only question at this point is who.
All season, the Yankees' rotation has been two starters short of excellence. Max Fried has done a phenomenal job taking over for Gerrit Cole in the ace role, but only Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt are healthy and guaranteed rotation spots behind him.
Though there are still two months until the trade deadline, it's not too early for the Yankees to start considering their options in what looks to be a relatively thin market. It's an all-in season for this club, so they're going to be setting their sights on as big a star as possible.
One baseball writer believes it's possible the Yankees could land a two-time All-Star from one of their most hated rivals.
Earlier this week, Sam Bernardi of Heavy pitched a hypothetical trade that would send Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez to the Yankees for outfield prospect Everson Pereira and right-handed pitching prospect Clayton Beeter.
"This is a lot to ask for a rental, but Valdez would form a formidable southpaw trio with Fried and Rodón atop this rotation," Bernardi wrote.
"At 31-years-old, Valdez is going to command a large payday this offseason, a cause for concern among New York fans. However, Aaron Judge is not getting any younger and the front office should do everything in its power to capitalize on his historic pace while he is still in his prime."
The Yankees should certainly be in play for Valdez, assuming the Astros enter sale mode, which is nowhere near a guarantee. The 31-year-old is about to hit free agency and is projected for a $70 million contract by Spotrac, which could wind up an underestimate.
However, it's hard to imagine that if the Astros do make Valdez available, another team wouldn't have a package to offer that tops Pereira and Beeter, which is no shot at those two intriguing prospects.
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