Here, we take a look at some of the latest trade rumors and buy or sell each one, based on fit and the strength of the rumors.
Yankees Rumors: Juan Soto Trade Talks with Nationals Have 'No Traction'
Aug 1, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 31: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals fouls during the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Sunday, July 31, 2022 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
It doesn't look like Juan Soto will become a member of the New York Yankees before Tuesday's trade deadline.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported the Bronx Bombers checked in with the Washington Nationals on Sunday, but "there's no traction on talks regarding Soto." While the Yankees apparently "love" the superstar, Washington sees Yankees prospect Anthony Volpe "as a very good major-leaguer, not the star others do."
That seems to suggest the two sides will not come to terms on an agreement.
It doesn't come as much of a surprise that the Yankees seem to be out as a candidate for Soto, considering MLB insider Jim Bowden reported the San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers are the finalists for the Nationals star.
ESPN's Buster Olney reported on Thursday that some executives around the league believe the Padres are the frontrunner.
All the trade talk seems to be weighing on the outfielder to a degree. He told reporters, "I just want to get it over with and see what's going to happen. I mean, just go over that day and start over here or wherever I'm at."
In the first eight games after the All-Star Game, Soto had just five hits in 26 at-bats. It was a far cry from the usual production of the 23-year-old, who already has a World Series crown, a batting title, two Silver Sluggers and two All-Star selections on his resume.
From New York's perspective, trading for Soto could solve two concerns at once. Not only would it add one of the best players in the league as it pursues a championship, but he could also be a long-term replacement for Aaron Judge as a slugger in the middle of the lineup.
Judge is a free agent after this season, and he and the Yankees have yet to come to terms on a new deal.
However, Washington doesn't seem to believe in Volpe's ceiling enough as New York's top prospect on MLB.com's prospect rankings.
Volpe is slashing .253/.350/.473 with 15 home runs, 49 RBI and 37 stolen bases in Double-A this season and could be the centerpiece of a trade at some point, even though that deal reportedly won't be for Soto.
Yankees Trade Rumors: Joey Gallo Eyed by Brewers, Padres, Rays Ahead of 2022 Deadline
Jul 31, 2022
PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 06: Joey Gallo #13 of the New York Yankees hits a home run in the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 6, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
The New York Yankees are trying to move on from outfielder Joey Gallo and have reportedly received interest from the Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (h/t Mark Polishuk of MLBTradeRumors).
Gallo is hitting just .159 with a .282 on-base percentage and 12 home runs in 82 games this season with the Yankees.
The 28-year-old joined New York in a July trade from the Texas Rangers last season but now appears to be on his way out before becoming a free agent this offseason.
Gallo did hit 13 home runs in just 58 games last year with the Yankees, but his .160 batting average left a lot to be desired. Even he acknowledged his shortcomings after continued struggles in 2022.
"I feel bad," Gallo told Lindsey Adler of The Athletic. "It's something I'm gonna have to really live with for the rest of my life. It's going to be tough. I didn't play well, I didn't live up to expectations. And that's a tough pill to swallow."
New York acquired outfielder Andrew Benintendi to effectively replace Gallo's spot in the lineup.
Despite his struggles with the Yankees, the slugger clearly has some value around the league. He had two All-Star selections and two Gold Glove Awards with the Rangers and is averaging 39 home runs per 162 games over his career. He hit at least 40 home runs in consecutive seasons in 2017-18.
The Rays and Padres–currently ranked 22nd and 25th, respectively, in the majors in total home runs this season–could especially use this production.
The Brewers do have quality power hitters in Rowdy Tellez, Willy Adames and others, but they could use more outfield depth with the aging Christian Yelich and Andrew McCutchen rotating at designated hitter.
Gallo could represent a high-upside, buy-low option for any of these playoff contenders.
Aaron Judge Passes Babe Ruth for Most HRs By Yankees Player Before August
Jul 30, 2022
New York Yankees' Aaron Judge hits a two-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, July 30, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge passed Babe Ruth for the most home runs before August in franchise history when he smacked his 42nd of the year—and 200th all-time—Saturday against the Kansas City Royals.
Judge's two-run blast off Royals starting pitcher Jonathan Heasley gave the Yankees a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning.
Judge, who hit a single and scored a run off a Gleyber Torres double after his first at-bat, moved his batting average to .301 and OPS to 1.059 following the homer.
Per Baseball Reference, Judge entered Saturday leading the majors in wins above replacement (5.4), runs scored (84) and total bases (250). His 42 homers and 91 RBI also lead the majors.
Judge should be a lock for the American League MVP at this point, and the Yankees should cruise to an AL East title and top-two seed at worst in the playoffs.
It'll remain to be seen if he and the Yanks can make (and win) the World Series for the first time in 13 years, but for now, Judge is putting on an absolute show on a daily basis.
The biggest remaining regular-season storyline is whether the impending free agent can break some home run records. Former Yankee outfielder Roger Maris holds the AL record with 61 homers, and former San Francisco Giants great Barry Bonds is the all-time leader with 73.
New York has 60 more games after Saturday's matchup with the Royals. Judge is well on pace to beat Maris' record. Bonds' mark still appears like a long shot at best, but it doesn't seem like a complete impossibility anymore with Judge averaging a home run per game over the past two weeks.
Judge and the Yanks will finish out the four-game set with the Royals on Sunday before welcoming the Seattle Mariners into town for three matchups starting Monday.
Yankees Trade Rumors: NYY Eye Noah Syndergaard After Luis Castillo, Frankie Montas
Jul 29, 2022
CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 27: Luis Castillo #58 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch during the second inning of the game against the Miami Marlins at Great American Ball Park on July 27, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
Having made one move to boost their outfield depth, the New York Yankees appear to be focused on starting pitchers ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline.
Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Cincinnati Reds right-hander Luis Castillo "seems to be" the Yankees' first choice, with Frankie Montas of the Oakland Athletics, Noah Syndergaard of the Los Angeles Angels and Jose Quintana of the Pittsburgh Pirates on their radar as well.
The Yankees made one of the first notable moves leading up to the trade deadline when they acquired All-Star left fielder Andrew Benintendi from the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.
Adding Benintendi didn't require New York to give up significant prospect capital. The Royals received three pitchers in return (T.J. Sikkema, Beck Way, Chandler Champlain), none of whom cracked the top 10 in MLB.com's prospect rankings for K.C.
A deal for Castillo would almost certainly cost at least one significant prospect. He has another year of team control remaining and has posted a 2.86 ERA with 90 strikeouts in 85 innings this season.
Castillo did miss the first month of the season with a shoulder injury, but he hasn't had any apparent issues since making his 2022 debut May 9.
Montas, who is also under team control through 2023, had his own shoulder flare-up this month that caused him to miss two weeks. The 29-year-old has thrown eight innings in two starts since returning July 21.
Syndergaard would be a rental for the rest of this season. He signed a one-year, $21 million contract with the Angels in November. The right-hander has pitched well with a 3.83 ERA in 15 starts, but his 7.2 strikeouts per nine innings mark by far the lowest rate of his career.
Quintana, 33, is on a one-year, $2 million deal. He has posted a 3.70 ERA, a 1.28 WHIP and 85 strikeouts in 97.1 innings over 19 starts.
The Yankees have an established ace with Gerrit Cole but could use depth, especially with Nestor Cortes having already surpassed his MLB high with 101.2 innings.
New York's 67-33 record is the best mark in the American League. The Bronx Bombers trail the Los Angeles Dodgers (66-32) by percentage points for the best record in Major League Baseball.
Derek Jeter 'The Captain': Best Fan Tweets, Memes from Episodes 3, 4 of ESPN Doc
Jul 29, 2022
MADISON, WISCONSIN - JUNE 11: Former Major League Baseball player Derek Jeter walks off the 11th tee box during the Celebrity Foursome at the second round of the American Family Insurance Championship at University Ridge Golf Club on June 11, 2022 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The 2022 New York Yankees defeated the Kansas City Royals on Thursday, but it was a doubleheader night for one of the franchise's ultimate icons.
Episodes 3 and 4 of The Captain aired Thursday as ESPN's seven-part documentary exploring the legendary 20-year career of Derek Jeter continued.
Much like The Last Dance, which highlighted Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls of the '90s, the documentary mixes present-day interviews with Jeter and other members of the Yankees dynasty with archival footage in an effort to retell key stories from the Hall of Famer's career.
Episode 3
Episode 3 was all about the Yankees' titles in 1999 and 2000, which were the second and third championships of their three-peat.
It was also about some of the individual rivalries Jeter faced along the way with his Bronx Bombers overcoming Nomar Garciaparra's Boston Red Sox in the 1999 American League Championship Series and Alex Rodriguez's Seattle Mariners in the 2000 ALCS.
While arguments can be made that Rodriguez was the better player and that Garciaparra was in that category, Jeter was happy to remind everyone that he was the one who won the most. It seemed to cost him an element of his friendship with Rodriguez, but A-Rod's critical comments that Jeter never had to lead a loaded New York team also stood out during the episode.
They didn't seem too friendly when they were talking to each other on the field following a brawl between the Yankees and Mariners, but Jeter's teammate Chad Curtis seemed to take issue with the shortstops talking instead of fighting. Jeter shot down speculation that New York got rid of Curtis because of that, saying he would have given himself a contract extension if he had that power.
Yet it was Rodriguez's comments that Jeter said hurt him the most and impacted their friendship even though A-Rod apologized in person.
The individual relationship between the two shortstops was the focal point of the episode, but the 2000 Subway Series between the two New York teams also stood out. Backstories included Roger Clemens throwing a piece of a broken bat near Mike Piazza, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner bringing his own furniture into Shea Stadium and Jeter leading off Game 4 with a homer on a fastball over the middle.
Imagine if Social Media was around for this Subway World Series?? #TheCaptain
Turns out, it was just the Mets when the Yankees won in five games.
Episode 4
New York was going for its fourth straight title in 2001, but baseball took a backseat after the terrorist attacks of September 11. Episode 4 explored the dynamics of baseball returning and the Yankees providing a semblance of normalcy for the city, especially in the playoffs.
"We were truly playing for something way, way bigger," Jeter said.
Those playoffs included the Yankees overcoming a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Oakland Athletics in the division series with Jeter saving the season with the famous flip play to retire Jeremy Giambi at the plate in Game 3.
While the Arizona Diamondbacks eventually defeated the Yankees in seven games in the World Series, New York had two incredible moments to celebrate. Most notably, Jeter's walk-off homer in Game 4 after the clock struck midnight and the calendar flipped made him Mr. November.
Watching #TheCaptain makes it pretty clear that Derek Jeter was the greatest “winner” in baseball history. The toughest job in the toughest organization and all he did was thrive. pic.twitter.com/O0LdnksPQY
The Yankees also won Game 5 after Scott Brosius tied it with a two-run homer in the ninth and Alfonso Soriano had the walk-off hit, providing the city with the emotional release that came with back-to-back dramatic wins.
The rest of the episode included stories of Jeter's back-and-forths with Steinbrenner about his nightlife, No. 2 becoming the official captain and the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry going to another level during New York's seven-game victory in the 2003 ALCS that saw Aaron Boone hit the walk-off in the decisive contest.
Being named captain of the New York Yankees was one of the greatest honors of my career. #TheCaptain
"It's Boston," Jeter said when asked why he never doubted the Yankees would win that series, echoing his comments on the Mets from the 2000 Fall Classic.
Unfortunately for Jeter and the Yankees, that narrative ended when they lost to the Red Sox in the 2004 ALCS even though they added Rodriguez before the season. Still, the Captain had plenty of bragging rights during a career that featured five championships.
How Andrew Benintendi Trade Impacts Yankees' Chances in World Series Race
Jul 28, 2022
KANSAS CITY, MO - JULY 26: Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Kansas City Royals catches a ball hit by Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium on July 26, 2022, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
The New York Yankees acquired All-Star outfielder Andrew Benintendi from the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday in exchange for a trio of minor-league pitchers.
With that, the Bronx Bombers added a major piece to the lineup en route to their World Series quest, which just got a little more attainable following the addition.
At the moment, the Yankees sport +380 odds ($100 bet to profit $380) to take the World Series, per DraftKings Sportsbook. Those odds are best in the American League and second-best in baseball behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.
However, the move certainly does not vault the Yankees into favorite status, and the team has plenty of questions that need to be addressed. Simply put, all is not well in the Bronx right now even though the 66-33 Yankees sit with the American League's best record.
New York is 8-12 in its last 20 games, including a home series loss to the last-place Cincinnati Reds and a pair of two-game sweep defeats to the Houston Astros and New York Mets.
The sluggish stretch put a greater spotlight on the team's lineup, starting rotation and bullpen woes, but adding Benintendi goes a long way toward solving one of those problems. He's hitting .320 with three home runs, 39 RBI and a .785 OPS. His batting average is now the best on the Yanks.
That's a perfect fit for the Yankees, though, as they sport plenty of power already and simply need more guys to get on base for the team's sluggers (e.g. Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, etc.). It also helps that Benintendi is a tremendous outfielder who won the Gold Glove last year.
The addition of Benintendi would presumably mean that Joey Gallo, who is hitting just .161 and he has nearly three times as many strikeouts (111) as hits (37), will be making his way to the bench or out of town at this juncture. At his best, Gallo sports prodigious power that has enabled him to hit 38 or more home runs in a season three times, but a change of scenery might be best for both sides at this point.
Overall, this is a big win for the lineup, but the team's pitching depth still leaves a ton of question marks.
In the starting rotation, it's unclear who the Yankees can trust in October right now outside the All-Star duo of Gerrit Cole and Nestor Cortes.
Jordan Montgomery (4.97 ERA last seven starts) and Jameson Taillon (6.09 ERA last nine starts) simply have not fared well recently. Luis Severino (3.45 ERA) is on the IL with a low-grade lat strain, and it's unclear when he will return right now.
New York could certainly use another starter to give the team another option here, and the team has been connected to a pair of talented right-handers in the Cincinnati Reds' Luis Castillo and the Oakland Athletics' Frankie Montas, per ESPN's Jeff Passan (among others). Adding one of them would go a long way toward the Yankees' World Series hopes.
However, the Yankees still need bullpen help, which has been obvious with a handful of late-inning losses to the Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets of late.
The Yankees do have a quintet of relievers with sub-three ERA, but can they be trusted in October?
Joel Sherman of the New York Post provided his take: "Albert Abreu, Lucas Luetge, Ron Marinaccio, Wandy Peralta and Clarke Schmidt reside between intriguing and insufficient."
It's certainly possible one (or a few) of those arms becomes an asset in the fall, but right now, it's unclear. Adding more proven relievers would be a welcome sight. The Yanks are notably interested in a reunion with ex-Bronx Bomber and current Chicago Cub David Robertson, per Ken Davidoff of the New York Post.
In sum, adding Benintendi helps the Yankees' World Series cause, but they still need more help to overcome their pesky rivals in the Houston Astros, who have won the AL pennant three times since 2017. The league-best Dodgers look like the MLB powerhouse once again, and the Mets are hitting their stride.
All of these teams could prevent the Yanks from winning their 28th title, but if New York lands a solid starter and a bullpen arm or two, it could very well find itself as the clear World Series favorite heading down the stretch.
MLB Rumors: Yankees May Be 'More of a Fallback Option' in Juan Soto Trade Talks
Jul 28, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 26: Washington Nationals right fielder Juan Soto (22) looks on during the MLB game between the Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 26, 2022 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The New York Yankees reportedly aren't a favorite in the Juan Soto sweepstakes.
Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media reported Thursday on where the Yankees stand in trade talks for the Washington Nationals' star outfielder:
"While the Yankees remain in on Nationals star Juan Soto, they don’t feel like they’re particularly 'engaged' with Washington, which appears to be seeking younger established major-league players, the person said. The Yankees may be more of a 'fallback' option for Soto, the person said."
That is in line with a report from the New York Post's Jon Heyman, who tweeted that the Yankees aren't at the "forefront" of Soto trade discussions.
While there’s no word the Yankees are officially out on Juan Soto it’s clear they aren’t currently at the forefront of those talks. So it makes sense they jumped on Andrew Benintendi. SD, STL, LAD and TEX, perhaps due to better prospect matches, seem more involved in Soto talks.
Soto, 23, is a two-time All-Star who has amassed 20 home runs and 45 RBI this year.
Soto became the hottest name on this year's trading block after The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported that he and the Nats couldn't come to terms on a long-term extension.
Hector Gomez of Z101 Digital reported the Nats planned to make one final offer to Soto but would trade him if he didn't accept.
SOURCE: The Nationals plan to make a better offer to Juan Soto, which will be their last. If Soto does not accept, he will be traded. https://t.co/PCON9u94If
Nats general manager Mike Rizzo has since made it clear that Soto is available, but the team won't give him away.
"I will say this: We're going to have to get the deal that we want, that makes the most sense, that gets us the opportunity to become a championship organization faster than not trading him. That's it in a nutshell," Rizzo said Wednesday on The Sports Junkies on 106.7 The Fan.
Soto is under team control through the 2024 season, but his time with the Nats could be nearing its close.
The right fielder would be a great fit on any team. He's one of the game's brightest young stars and may be on his way to Cooperstown.
It appears the San Diego Padres could be the front-runner for Soto, per ESPN's Buster Olney.
As of Thursday morning, some rival executives perceive the Padres to be the frontrunner to land Juan Soto.
The Yankees need help in the corner outfield, especially since Joey Gallo is hitting just .161, but they got some in the form of Andrew Benintendi. New York traded three minor league pitchers Wednesday for the All-Star, who is hitting .320 and won a Gold Glove last year.
That's a great consolation prize for the Yanks if Soto doesn't land in the Bronx. As is, the 66-33 Yankees own the American League's best record and are primed for a playoff run. They'll take on Benintendi's former team, the Kansas City Royals, for a four-game home series starting Thursday.
Yankees Rumors: NY Seeking 'High-End' Starting Pitching After Andrew Benintendi Trade
Jul 28, 2022
CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 27: Luis Castillo #58 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch during the second inning of the game against the Miami Marlins at Great American Ball Park on July 27, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
The New York Yankees remain on the hunt for a "high-end starting pitcher" ahead of the Aug. 2 trade deadline, according to Andy Martino of SNY.
The organization continues to target Cincinnati Reds pitcher Luis Castillo and reportedly has a scout on a special assignment to watch the right-hander. New York has also had discussions with the Oakland Athletics about Frankie Montas, per Martino.
Miami Marlins pitcher Pablo Lopez is also listed as a possibility.
The Yankees already made one big move on Wednesday, reportedly trading for outfielder Andrew Benintendi in a deal with the Kansas City Royals.
The Yankees still have the best record in the American League at 66-33, but a 2-5 record since the All-Star break has forced the team to be aggressive on the trade market.
Castillo could be a major addition after earning his second career All-Star selection. The 29-year-old has a 2.86 ERA and 1.071 WHIP to start 2022, both of which would be a career high.
Montas has been nearly as productive with a 3.18 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 104.2 innings, following up a year where he finished sixth in voting for the AL Cy Young.
Both players are under team control through 2023, although the Reds and A's are both in last place in their respective divisions and could benefit by dealing their stars for prospects.
ESPN's Jeff Passan reported both Castillo and Montas will "almost certainly move in the next week," although there is competition from the St. Louis Cardinals and Seattle Mariners among other teams.
The Reds have also reportedly been slow to act on any potential trades for Castillo despite strong interest from the Yankees.
"They're telling people, basically, we'll get back to you on that," a source told Brendan Kuty of NJ.com.
Lopez could be another exciting option, going 7-5 with a 3.03 ERA in 20 starts for the Marlins this season.
The Yankees already have the third-best team ERA in the majors, but a team seeking a World Series title can never have enough pitching. Adding another front-line starter to a squad that already has Gerrit Cole and Nestor Cortes could make the team especially dangerous down the stretch.
Yankees' Updated Lineup, Payroll, Top Prospects After Andrew Benintendi Trade
Jul 28, 2022
KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 27: Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Kansas City Royals hits a single against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium on June 27, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Reed Hoffmann/Getty Images)
The New York Yankees got an early start on the trade season by acquiring Andrew Benintendi from the Kansas City Royals.
Moments after the Yankees' 3-2 walk-off loss to the New York Mets on Wednesday, the team announced they sent minor league pitchers Chandler Champlain, T.J. Sikkema and Beck Way to Kansas City in exchange for the All-Star outfielder.
Benintendi is in the midst of arguably his best season in the big leagues. The 28-year-old has a .320/.387/.398 slash line with 19 extra-base hits and 39 RBI in 347 at-bats.
Factoring in the remaining $3.2 million salary Benintendi is owed this season, Spotrac estimates the Yankees' payroll is at $254 million. Factoring in luxury-tax allocations, their total roster spending is at $266.1 million.
Yankees' Projected Lineup
1. DJ LeMahieu, 3B
2. Aaron Judge, CF
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Giancarlo Stanton, DH (currently on 10-day IL)
5. Andrew Benintendi, LF
6. Gleyber Torres, 2B
7. Matt Carpenter, RF
8. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, SS
9. Jose Trevino, C
Aaron Boone has the type of problem that every manager in Major League Baseball would like to have. The Yankees have more players than they do starting spots available to fit them all in.
Giancarlo Stanton's Achilles injury that landed him on the injured list this week does make filling out the lineup card a little bit easier.
When Stanton returns, the picture gets a little more cloudy. Aaron Judge has hit primarily out of the second spot this season. There's no reason to mess with something that has worked.
Benintendi and LeMahieu could split leadoff duties since they both get on base in more than 38 percent of their at-bats. Whichever one isn't heading leadoff could potentially slot in at the No. 4 or 5 spot in the order.
Neither one has hit for much power this season, though Benintendi's power output could increase as he goes from playing home games at spacious Kauffman Stadium to the short right field porch at Yankee Stadium.
Stanton, Anthony Rizzo and Josh Donaldson are low-average hitters. Rizzo has the best combination of on-base skill and power among that trio to hit directly behind Judge. Stanton's power is good enough to keep him in the cleanup spot when he returns from the IL.
Gleyber Torres has bounced around the lineup all year. He's currently settled in at the cleanup spot, but that could change when Stanton returns.
The combination of Josh Donaldson and Matt Carpenter will hold things down in the seventh spot. If Carpenter somehow keeps up his current pace with an 1.194 OPS, he will almost certainly work his way up in the lineup.
The eighth and ninth spot will continue to be occupied by Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Jose Trevino. They are in the starting lineup for their defense, though Trevino has been a pleasant surprise offensively with a 106 OPS+ in 187 at-bats.
Yankees Farm System
The cost to acquire Benintendi didn't put much of a dent in New York's farm system. MLB.com had Sikkema and Way ranked No. 19 and 21 on the Yankees' top-30 prospect list prior to the deal. Champlain didn't even crack the top 30.
All three pitchers are in Single-A and should be at least two years away from reaching the big leagues.
Sikkema missed the entire 2021 season with shoulder and lat injuries. The left-hander has shown good ability in High-A with a 2.48 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 36.1 innings, but he just turned 24.
MLB.com noted Way could end up as a reliever because of a lack of command and control. He has 80 strikeouts and 26 walks in 72.1 innings over 15 starts at High-A. Champlain, 23, has 94 strikeouts and 4.30 ERA in 73.1 innings this season.
Shortstop Anthony Volpe remains the crown jewel of New York's farm system, but there's plenty of exciting talent with him at the top. Oswald Peraza, Jasson Dominguez and Austin Wells were top-100 prospects coming into the season, per MLB.com.
Volpe, 21, has spent the entire season at Double-A with the Somerset Patriots. He has a .252/.349/.460 slash line with 13 homers and 37 stolen bases in 81 games. Dominguez, who got a $5.1 million signing bonus in 2019, has an .824 OPS in 80 games across two levels.
Peraza is on the verge of reaching the big leagues. The 22-year-old shortstop has spent all season in Triple-A and has posted a solid .258/.329/.446 slash line with 13 homers and 24 stolen bases in 73 games.
If the Yankees decide to make a serious play for Juan Soto, it seems likely that at least two of those three top prospects would have to be included for the Washington Nationals to part ways with their 23-year-old All-Star.
They don't have a loaded farm system in the same way that a team like the Los Angeles Dodgers or Tampa Bay Rays does, but the very top of their prospect list can stand alongside any team in MLB.
