Yankees 4-Player Trade Idea Lands Rival’s Star Shortstop In New York

The New York Yankees have good reason to push toward another World Series appearance.

After making some significant roster changes, the Yankees are leading the American League East division with a few weeks to go until the trade deadline. As a result, it seems likely the team will look to reinforce itself toward a championship. And the biggest need is clear.

After opening the season without a clear-cut third base option, the Yankees' hot corner woes have only grown worse. They have lost versatile infielder Jazz Chilsholm Jr. to an injury and Oswaldo Cabrera seems unlikely to return this season after a gruesome ankle turn.

As a result, another infielder seems to be at the top of the needs list. And the team could look to a division rival for a solution, as ClutchPoint's Garrett Kerman proposed a four-player deal to land Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette.

"The Yankees are contending, have a glaring need on the infield, and boast the prospect capital to make a deal happen," Kerman wrote. "For the Yankees, Bichette fills a critical need at either shortstop or third base, depending on how they configure their infield. He immediately upgrades their lineup and provides a potent right-handed bat for the postseason push."

But such a deal could come at a steep cost for the Yankees. Kerman proposed the Bronx Bombers trade away top prospects George Lombard Jr., Spencer Jones and Ben Hess in a package to pull it off.

"This package gives Toronto a franchise shortstop in Lombard Jr., a potential middle-of-the-order bat in Jones, and a high-upside arm in Hess," Kerman added.

Lombard could be the Yankees' long-term infield solution and is likely deemed untouchable by the front office in any trade negotiations, and Jones could be in the same boat. With Bichette a potential single-year rental as he prepares for free agency, that would make this proposal a non-starter for New York.

But the idea of upgrading to Bichette as the Yankees surge toward the playoffs and the Blue Jays fall out of the race makes sense if the two sides can agree on a package.