Yankees’ Brian Cashman should make pair of blockbuster trades when MLB lockout ends

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (left) could have some new faces in his lineup, depending on what general manager Brian Cashman does after the MLB lockout.
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Send those text messages, Brian Cashman.

As the Major League Baseball lockout rolls on without an ending in sight, all business across the sport is supposed to be paused. For the most part, that’s edict is likely having an impact and working.

For the most part.

Considering how over the top (not to mention illegal) tracking who and what each MLB general manager is texting about this winter is, let’s go ahead and assume trade discussions have been active and vibrant for weeks, even if they are totally private and can’t be acted on until, say, sometime in late February.

Here are two trades the New York Yankees general manager should already be tinkering, and ready to pounce on when the lockout is done.

Gleyber Torres for Jeff McNeil

The reasons are vast, and make sense for both teams. McNeil is the kind of bat the Yankees have lacked for years. His versatility makes the left-handed swing an interesting chess piece for manager Aaron Boone. Are chemistry issues in Queens a red flag? Perhaps. But a potential .300 hitter that can take aim at the short porch in right field is too hard to resist, especially on a buy-low deal.

Clarke Schmidt, Deivi Garcia, Luis Gil and Gio Urshela for Chris Bassitt and Ramon Laureano

Think this price is too high for a starting pitcher that received AL Cy Young votes and a young, cost-controlled center fielder with elite defensive skills? Think again.

Bassitt, despite taking a comebacker off the head, started and finished an impressive season in 2021. The righty posted a 3.34 FIP, 4.08 strikeout-to-walk ratio, made the All-Star team and could finish this week with top-10 Cy Young votes in back-to-back years. Bassitt would easily be New York’s No. 2 starter.

Aaron Hicks can’t stay healthy. Laureano would be an upgrade even if the Yankees switch-hitting center fielder was available. A late-season performance-enhancing drug suspension could lower his value this winter, potentially making the price a steal for Cashman. We’re talking about a prime-aged center fielder with big range, big arm and a career OPS+ of 119.

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Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com.

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