With the New York Yankees' (44-45) playoff hopes slowly fading, Carlos Beltran's impending free agency will make him a strong trade chip for the team.
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Beltran A Strong Trade Option
Saturday, July 16
Per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Yankees "will trade" Beltran "if things don't turn" around in the two weeks before the August 1 non-waiver trade deadline.
Beltran has been terrific this season for the Yankees, making the American League All-Star team and leading the team in doubles (18), home runs (19), RBI (58) and slugging percentage (.546).
Yet the Yankees know they can deal him because his contract is set to end after the season and Aaron Judge is hitting .261/.357/.469 with 33 extra-base hits in Triple-A.
The 39-year-old Beltran is likely to be one of the best hitters available leading up to the trade deadline, especially if the Yankees accept the reality of their situation and are motivated to move him.
Entering play Saturday, the Yankees are 8.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East and 5.5 games out of the second wild-card spot.
Trade options for Beltran could be limited because he's a bat-only player at this point in his career. The Yankees have started using him more as a DH, though he's played more games in right field this season with negative results.
Per FanGraphs, Beltran has cost the Yankees 10 runs with his glove in just 390 innings as an outfielder. His offensive upside is so good, though, that a desperate National League team might be willing to overlook those defensive shortcomings.
The Yankees need to get younger and more athletic if they hope to avoid a long rebuilding period. Trading Beltran to at least open up a roster spot for a talented young player like the 24-year-old Judge would be a good first step for the franchise.
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