Yankees Rumors: Fernando Tatis Jr. Trade Or Carlos Correa Signing? New York Working On Big Move
The New York Yankees are working on another big move after re-signing Aaron Judge, according to multiple reports. The exact player who the Yankees might be targeting, however, remains a bit of a mystery.
Yankees' broadcaster Michael Kay said that the team is working on something even bigger than Carlos Rodon, the best pitcher available in free agency.
ESPN's Buster Olney speculated on 95.7 The Game that the Yankees' next big move could be signing Carlos Correa.
Fernando Tatis Jr. is at the center of rumors now that 98.7 ESPN's Rick DiPietro has suggested that the Yankees could be working on a trade for the San Diego Padres star.
Adding Correa would make sense for the Yankees. New York has young promising shortstops who could play in the middle infield for the 2023 season, but they aren't proven hitters.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa was the Yankees' starting shortstop last season. Kiner-Falefa's defense was a disappointment and he finished with a .642 OPS. Manager Aaron Boone benched Kiner-Falefa as the postseason moved along because of his struggles.
New York has reportedly been in contact with Correa, though he's been viewed as an unlikely addition to the roster. Correa could command a contract worth at least $300 million. The Yankees have not been expected to add another massive contract to their books since giving Judge $360 million guaranteed.
A trade might be a more realistic move because it would allow the Yankees to shake up the roster without dramatically increasing their payroll.
Amid the Tatis rumors, Yankees fans have speculated that the team might try to trade Giancarlo Stanton in a deal with the Padres. Stanton's salary counts for $22 million against the luxury tax through at least 2027.
Tatis' $340 million contract runs through the 2034 season.
Tatis is expendable for San Diego. In addition to Tatis undergoing shoulder surgery and receiving an 80-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs, the Padres are set on the left side of the infield. Third baseman Manny Machado is coming off an MVP-caliber season, and San Diego just inked Xander Bogaerts to an 11-year contract.
Tatis is expected to move to San Diego's outfield. The Yankees could potentially play Tatis in left field or at shortstop, two positions that remain question marks for New York going forward.
When healthy, Tatis is one of the best players in baseball. In three seasons, the 23-year-old has a pair of top-four NL MVP finishes. Tatis led the NL with 42 home runs in 2021 and has posted a career .965 OPS.
Tatis has also been limited to 273 games since making his debut in 2019. The Padres might be glad to unload his $340 million contract because of off-the-field and health issues.
There still has yet to be any solid reporting that the Yankees are trying to trade for Tatis. Stanton and Tatis both have no-trade clauses.
Maybe the Yankees are working to trade for a player who is unknowingly available. New York could sign Rodon, who has been a top-six Cy Young finisher for two straight years. All-Star shortstop Dansby Swanson is still available in free agency, as well.
One more key addition would put the Yankees one step closer to closing the gap between themselves and the World Series champion Houston Astros.
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