The baseball world was rocked Tuesday night when the Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly finalized a deal with left-handed pitcher Blake Snell. Now, other teams are scrambling to respond and keep up with the Dodgers’ big move. For the New York Yankees, that response likely involves securing Juan Soto, but there’s more work to be done beyond that.
Christopher Kline of FanSided compiled a list of three cost-effective moves the Yankees could consider, keeping Soto’s potential $600 million contract in mind. The top suggestion is to trade for Chicago White Sox ace Garrett Crochet. Although Crochet is still on his rookie contract through 2026, he’s expected to land a six-year, $130 million deal when he hits free agency.
Kline points out that while Crochet will demand a significant payday, his contract won’t be as expensive as Snell’s, and at just 25 years old, Crochet could be a long-term asset for the Yankees. “There’s a chance for Crochet to grow with the Yankees for the next decade,” Kline writes.
While the Yankees haven’t been part of any initial Crochet trade talks, Snell’s signing could change that. If New York can pull off a trade for Crochet without completely depleting its farm system, it could be a smart move. However, making this trade would be challenging given the Yankees’ already thin prospect pool. To make this deal happen, they would likely have to part with one of their most prized minor league assets.
