The New York Yankees are positioned to be buyers at the trade deadline. They could part ways with one of their big league depth players to upgrade other parts of their roster.
The Yankees have a player on their big league roster who could be a starter on some team, but is seeing limited opportunities in the Bronx. That player is J.C. Escarra. Escarra is a rookie, and could yield the Yankees much-needed help elsewhere on the roster. He has just 94 plate appearances this season.
Escarra does not necessarily have to be dealt to a seller, as the San Diego Padres figure to make moves geared toward making the postseason and need a catcher. CBS Sports' Mike Axisa predicted the Yankees would deal Escarra to the Padres at the trade deadline.
"Based on this past offseason, ownership won't allow him to add much to payroll, if at all, limiting his options. San Diego needs pitching (who doesn't?), a DH, and a catching upgrade," wrote Axisa. "Escarra is a sneaky popular trade target league-wide. The Yankees' rookie backup catcher is an elite pitch-framer with strong underlying offensive skills, including above-average contact rates and exit velocity. Escarra could start for more than a few teams, including San Diego, where the Elias Díaz/Martín Maldonado tandem isn't getting it done. I am certain Preller will add multiple players at the trade deadline. I'm betting on Escarra being a pleasant surprise down the stretch, taking over as the starting catcher, and giving the Padres much more offense behind the plate while being no downgrade defensively."
The Yankees have Austin Wells and Ben Rice, so Escarra's opportunities behind the plate are already limited. On the Padres, he would see more playing time and have an opportunity to become the everyday catcher.
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He is still in the pre-arbitration stage of his contract, so he could yield the Yankees a decent return in trade. Could the Yankees get some bullpen help from the Padres in exchange for Escarra?
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