The New York Yankees are a team that could use another bat in the infield.
Shortstop specifically has been a question for the franchise. Anthony Volpe was supposed to be the long-term answer, but that doesn't appear to be the case any longer. We've seen Volpe get some time this season, but also José Caballero. Caballero specifically has been very solid for the club this season. But could New York look for morre?
Well, ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel listed New York among the best fits to acquire Washington Nationals superstar CJ Abrams this summer if he becomes available.
"Chance of being traded: 15 percent," Passan and McDaniel wrote. "Rest-of-season impact: High. Years of control: Two more years after 2026. The buzz: For all of teams' reticence regarding Abrams -- particularly with his propensity to have bonanza first halves and wither after the All-Star break -- his performance this season is undeniable.
"He hits for average. He hits for power. He steals bases. He drives in runs. All of that plus two years of control and he plays up the middle? Why isn't he higher? Evaluators simply don't think he's a good shortstop. Defensive metrics firmly agree. And among the limited number of teams looking to fill that position, the exceptional return that president of baseball operations Paul Toboni would seek and the Nationals still firmly in contention right now, it's probably not the time for Abrams to move. ... Best fits: Braves, Rays, Yankees, Blue Jays."
Abrams would be a near-perfect addition. He's a 25-year-old All-Star with two more seasons of control left. Right now, he's batting .284 with 14 homers and 54 RBIs in 73 games played. If the Yankees could get him, it would be a game-changer.