Yankees offseason news, free agency analysis by Pete Caldera, Anthony McCarron
Pete Caldera, Yankees beat writer for The Record and NorthJersey.com, and SNY’s Anthony McCarron discuss potential Yankees moves this winter.
NEW YORK – Last December, Yankees GM Brian Cashman swung a deal for Cody Bellinger – essentially a payroll shed by the Chicago Cubs – that paid off well.
At the December 2023 Winter Meetings, Cashman engineered a blockbuster trade for Juan Soto, which helped the Yankees to their first pennant since 2009.
Coming off a 94-win season and an AL Division Series exit, the Yankees could be quite active in this trade market – with a need to improve the club’s overall depth, and the prospects to pull off a bigger deal.
As they enter these Winter Meetings, let’s examine where the trade route might take the Yanks, and which of their players might be available:
Yankees trade targets: Position players
Hitting is at a premium, so the Yankees’ winter strategy might be simpler by signing Cody Bellinger.
That enables Brian Cashman to improve along the margins, concentrating on right-handed hitting outfield, infield and catching depth, along with bullpen upgrades.
Entering his free-agent walk year, Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm could be viewed as a potential right-handed complement to Ryan McMahon. Bohm also has experience at first base, has power, and posted an .818 OPS versus lefty pitching in 2025.
Josh Jung, Rangers
Right-handed hitting Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung has three more years of team control, coming off a subpar season.
Isaac Paredes, Astros
The Astros might not be an ideal trade partner, but it’s worth an inquiry on power-hitting corner infielder Isaac Paredes, though he’s rocky defensively.
Steven Kwan, Guardians
In 2025, lefty-hitting Guardians’ outfielder Steven Kwan’s on-base percentage was 18 points lower than Trent Grisham’s, but the Yankees still don’t have a true leadoff hitter.
Byron Buxton, Twins
Kwan has two seasons of team control left, but the unresolved Bellinger situation might complicate a big move for an outfielder. And a whiff on Bellinger might put Minnesota’s Byron Buxton in play.
Yankees trade targets: PitchersEdward Cabrera and Sandy Alcantara, Marlins, and Mitch Keller, Pirates
and If the Yankees are motivated to move some of their top prospects, this is where they could make a major splash.
Cashman invites all discussions, but there’s currently no acute need to acquire a young, top-tier starter.
Still, that won’t keep the Yankees from inquiries about the Miami Marlins’ Edward Cabrera and Sandy Alcantara, or Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller.
Joe Ryan and Pablo Lopez, Twins
There will be plenty of interest in Minnesota right-handers Joe Ryan and Pablo Lopez, each under team control through 2027.
Freddy Peralta, Brewers
The Yankees might also want to check in on Milwaukee’s Freddy Peralta, is entering his free-agent walk year.
Adrian Morejon, Padres
It’s likelier that Cashman improves his bullpen via trade, a year after swinging deals for Devin Williams (now with the Mets) and Fernando Cruz, and netting David Bednar and Camilo Doval at the trade deadline.
San Diego probably has no motivation to move All-Star lefty Adrian Morejon, who might wind up in the Padres’ rotation in 2026, but it wouldn’t hurt to inquire on a valuable arm entering his free agent walk year.
Yankees players potentially available to tradeJazz Chisholm Jr.
Lefty-hitting second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. is entering his free-agent walk year, with low chances of getting a long-term extension here.
He’s not off-limits in trade discussions, but any trade partner would be a contending team and what’s the return?
Jasson Dominguez, Spencer Jones
Due to his unsettled status, switch-hitting outfielder Jasson Dominguez has joined slugging, lefty-hitting outfield prospect Spencer Jones as the subject of trade talk.
But any movement here might have to be part of a blockbuster deal on the Tarik Skubal level, if someone like the Detroit lefty, entering his free-agent walk year, is even available now.
Camilo Doval
For teams in need of a closer, Cashman could get inquiries on Camilo Doval, a setup reliever on the depth chart who’ll earn close to $7 million in 2026.
Trent Grisham
Depending on how the outfield situation shakes out, Trent Grisham might be expendable.
But the lefty-hitting Grisham is earning $22 million and can’t be dealt without his permission until June 15 after accepting the free agent qualifying offer.
J.C. Escarra
A need for a right-handed hitting catcher certainly makes lefty-hitting J.C. Escarra available.