The New York Yankees were recently linked to San Diego Padres outfielder/shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr.
YES Network’s Michael Kay shared a strong endorsement for the Yankees’ potential trade pursuit of the 26-year-old Dominican superstar.
“Fernando Tatis is 26 years old. He'll be 27 the beginning of January. [...] He's a brilliant outfielder, he plays right, he could play left easily. We know that he came up as a shortstop so he could do that too,” Kay said on the Talkin’ Yanks podcast.
“At the end of 2020, he signed a 14-year deal for $340 million, and at the time people were aghast. Aghast! Not anymore. [...] I would make a phone call to A. J. Preller, 'What do you need? What do you want?' We've got a deep farm system. [...] He's got a no-trade clause through 2028, I think with his theatrical flair, he would waive that clause to go to the Yankees.”
FanSided’s Christopher Kline believes the Yankees could retain Cody Bellinger in a potential Tatis trade scenario, which would presumably include struggling shortstop and New York native Anthony Volpe.
“Tatis also offers valuable flexibility to the Yankees. He's a gifted right fielder, but his athleticism should play well in left or center, if needed. Tatis also has experience at shortstop, meaning New York can re-sign Bellinger and trade for Tatis, in theory. It's not like Anthony Volpe has made a strong case to start at shortstop in perpetuity,” Kline wrote.
Of course, the whole premise of Kay’s Tatis idea is that Brian Cashman doesn’t have to invest in a long-term deal for Bellinger.
“If I’m the Yankees and I see the bidding for (Cody) Bellinger gets over $30 million, I might have to tap out,” Kay said. “Cody’s 30 years old. Let’s not forget, he’s had great years, and he’s had really, really bad years. The Dodgers, after he won an MVP for them, non-tendered him. The Cubs, after one good year and then eh year, traded him to the Yankees for Cody Poteet, and they ate $5 million of his contract. So it has not been a steady arc up for Cody. Maybe he found the place that’s perfect for him, in the Bronx, maybe. But Scott Boras is not going to play that game. He’s going to play the game of how much money and how long. And if there’s some team that’s willing to step up and break the bank, I don’t think the Yankees will; that’s when I make my pivot, Fernando Tatis Jr.”
Cashman has shared confidence in Bellinger returning. We’ll see if he does, and if it affects any potential Tatis pursuit.