The New York Yankees are under as much pressure as anyone to wheel and deal by Thursday's trade deadline.
As the Toronto Blue Jays have surged into first place, the Yankees have come under fire for their lackadaisical play over the last month and a half, so trades are necessary not only to plug holes on the roster, but also shake things up in the clubhouse.
Bodies in means bodies out, though. New York will have to surrender talented players to get the help they need, especially if they somehow acquire a major league third baseman, starting pitcher, and bullpen arm.
To that end, there's one prospect who a Yankees insider thinks is likely to get traded.
On Friday, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic predicted that right-hander Ben Hess, the Yankees' first-round draft pick in 2024, would be traded by Thursday's deadline.
"If there’s anything the Yankees have to trade, it’s young pitching. Hess, almost 23, was the Yankees’ first-round pick last year," wrote Kuty.
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"He has a big fastball with strikeout ability (13.1 K/9) and a 6-foot-5 frame to dream on, but he’s also shown a lack of control (5.1 BB/9) in his first professional season, all at High-A Hudson Valley. A caveat: Many evaluators prefer 2024 second-rounder Bryce Cunningham, 22, to Hess."
The Yankees also have right-handers Carlos Lagrange, Cam Schlittler, and Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz shooting up prospect rankings. All three could theoretically be considered in the right deals, and it seems improbable that none of the names discussed here get moved.
It's all up to general manager Brian Cashman to maximize the Yankees' chances at a long-awaited World Series.
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