The Yankees closed the book on the 2026 season with another American League Division Series exit, this time to the Tampa Bay Rays, and now turn their attention to retooling and preparing for 2027.
Brian Cashman, who is expected to sign a contract extension as the Yankees’ general manager, prides himself on exploring the trade market. This winter, he’ll likely do the same.
With a weak free-agent crop, the Yankees will likely get much of their business this winter through trades. Here are three Yankees trade targets that could help the team get over their 17-year championship hump in 2027.
The Yankees had an offensive vacuum at the hot corner this season, with Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario forming a platoon that simply didn’t hit. Their combined WAR was below replacement level, sitting at -0.1. Rosario is a free agent, and there is talk that the Yankees may look to cut their losses with McMahon.
Enter Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes, a name that has been floated around Yankee trade conversations for what feels like years. A right-handed bat who blends contact and power, he is the perfect complementary piece to slot into the middle of the Yankees’ order. He doesn’t strike out much, a skill the Yankees desperately need to round out an extremely volatile lineup that encompasses Spencer Jones and Aaron Judge. He also brings serious pop at the plate, posting 20-plus home runs and an .800 OPS in each of his last two seasons.
The only downside is that his defense is, at best, average, with limited range and a weak arm. Despite the concerns, many believe young George Lombard Jr.’s athleticism at shortstop could help ease the burden on the third baseman. Either way, Paredes’ offensive skill set is too good to pass up.
The Astros should be willing to entertain offers for Paredes, as they have historically avoided offering extensions. The 27-year-old is entering his walk year, and Houston could look to recoup some high-end talent to bolster its farm system. The Yankees have valuable prospect capital, especially on the mound, which could prompt Houston to bite.
Another one of the Yankees trade targets could be Otto Lopez, who broke onto the scene in a big way with the Marlins this year. He finished the season with a .305/.349/.789 slash line, plus 11 home runs, 74 RBIs, and 34 stolen bases.
The 28-year-old is another contact-oriented, low-strikeout right-handed bat who would help the Yankees at the top of the order. He would likely slot into the leadoff role, a spot the Yankees have struggled to fill effectively in recent years. Lopez would get on base at a high clip in front of the Yankees’ big boppers and could put pressure on opposing defenses with his speed, a combination that Yankees fans would love.
Primarily a shortstop, Lopez can play anywhere in the infield and defends well, so he could seamlessly fill the Yankees’ vacancy at second base. The Yankees could also opt to move George Lombard Jr. to third base and have Lopez play shortstop, but the organization seems set on keeping Lombard where he is.
Lopez is under contract through 2030, however, and the Marlins demand a considerable return, including big-league-ready talent and blue-chip prospects. As mentioned earlier, the Yankees have that organizational depth, but closing a deal would be difficult.
That said, the Yankees and Marlins have a good relationship and have become frequent trade partners in recent years. Lopez in pinstripes may be more of a hopeful dream than an impending reality, but it could certainly happen.
One of the Yankees’ trade targets this offseason is a wild card. Ketel Marte has been in the news for all the wrong reasons this season, but his talent is undeniable. He is widely considered the top second baseman in baseball with a complete skill set of hitting and fielding.
A switch-hitting power threat who doesn’t strike out much, Marte has been an MVP candidate in the incredibly competitive National League for several years. He hits for average and power and seems to deliver in big moments. He also plays good, if not great, defense at second base.
Marte’s problem has nothing to do with his ability on the field, but with possible character and clubhouse toxicity. This year, he declined to play in a matchup against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, a decision that led to his placement on the restricted list. Those kinds of incidents can get overlooked in a smaller market like Arizona, but in New York’s savage sports media landscape, he would likely get a different response.
Marte will almost certainly be available in some capacity this offseason, as the Diamondbacks seem tired of his antics. He was heavily involved in trade rumors last winter, and the same could happen again this time. The Yankees are one of five teams on Marte’s no-trade list, but he could waive that clause if a deal materializes.
Although it’s unlikely, there’s a reason to believe it could happen in a perfect scenario.
While the impending lockout complicates all baseball business matters, there will eventually be light at the end of the tunnel. When MLB sees that light is anyone’s guess, but the market will heat up. This year’s free-agent class is weak, and the Yankees, looking to gear up for another World Series run, will need more than what is available.
These three players could all be needle-movers in the Bronx, but the market can change at a moment’s notice, and nobody really knows what to expect. It will be an interesting winter.
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