Yankees Urged to Pursue Trade for $340 Million Outfielder

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The Yankees have been urged to trade for Padres' superstar outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. this offseason

Over the past week or so, the New York Yankees have begun to get active when it comes to beginning what figures to be a busy offseason of work. Trent Grisham, Clarke Schmidt, and Oswaldo Cabrera have all been re-signed, and the front office is hard at work exploring other moves to make.

There’s no doubt that New York could be busy in free agency, as it has cash to burn. But could it also be players on the trade market? And if so, who should it go out and pursue? If you ask Yankees’ insider Michael Kay, he believes that the team should make a serious push to acquire superstar outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. from the San Diego Padres this offseason.

Yankees Linked to Potential Fernando Tatis Jr. Trade

New York has several areas of need already entering the offseason, and another one could pop up if Cody Bellinger bolts in free agency. There appears to be a desire between the two sides to reunite, but with Bellinger being on the open market now, another team could conceivably come in and outbid the Yanks for his services.

If that happens, replacing Bellinger in free agency would be a tall task. The trade market offers some unique alternatives, where Tatis looms as a potential superstar target. Some trade rumors have been swirling around Tatis recently, even though he is fresh off another All-Star campaign in 2025 that saw him hit .268 with 25 home runs, 71 RBIs, and 32 stolen bases.

Bellinger’s return would all but rule out a trade for Tatis. If he departs, though, that could open the door for New York’s front office to find a long-term partner for Aaron Judge in the outfield. Kay believes that if the bidding for Bellinger gets too high, which very well could end up happening, the team should turn to the trade market and try to swing a deal for Tatis.

“What did the Yankees need this year? They needed a right-handed bat, right?” Kay said on “The Michael Kay Show.” “Fernando Tatis is 26 years old … I would make a phone call to A.J. Preller. ‘What do you need? What do you want? We got a deep farm system; this is the type of player that would play huge in New York’ … If I’m the Yankees, and I see the bidding for Bellinger gets over $30 million, I might have to tap out … That’s when I make my pivot to Fernando Tatis Jr.”

Should the Yankees Trade for Fernando Tatis Jr.?

GettyFernando Tatís Jr.

If Tatis does somehow wind out on the trade block, he’d be perhaps the most sought-after player in the league this offseason. He’ll be turning just 27 years old in January, and he’s already locked into a $340 million contract that looks like a bargain compared to some of the other deals players have gotten over the past couple of years.

Sure, a blockbuster trade would be expensive, and it’s fair to wonder whether or not Tatis could angle to a restructured contract if he continues to play at a high level. Investing in Bellinger is a bit sketchy given his inconsistent production over the years, and while he has some PED controversies in his past, Tatis has been a superstar when he’s been on the field throughout his career. If Bellinger doesn’t return, New York should go all in on a potential deal for Tatis.

Red Sox Urged To Make Surprise Splash For Cardinals' Brendan Donovan

The Boston Red Sox have the means to get any type of deal done this offseason that they see fit.

Financially, the Red Sox should be able to get any sort of deal done after trading Rafael Devers away. Boston has players at the big league level that could be used in trade talks -- especially in the outfield -- and also plenty of prospects. With the Red Sox's window to contention opening up, they shouldn't leave any stone unturned this offseason.

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The Red Sox are a big-market team with plenty of resources, so unsurprisingly any player who could be available typically ends up being linked to the organization. MassLive.com's Sean McAdam added a very intriguing name to the list on Sunday and threw out the idea of acquiring Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals.

Should the Red Sox go after Brendan Donovan?

"Just a thought: The St. Louis Cardinals are open to trading infielder Brendan Donovan," McAdam wrote. "He can play either second or third pretty well, and though he hits left-handed, which is sub-optimal, he’d make some sense for the Red Sox, whose entire infield, save for shortstop, remains undefined.

"The most appealing part of Donovan’s game for a team looking to make more contact? He puts the ball in play, with a career strikeout rate of just 13.51 percent and a .361 OBP."

This is a very interesting idea from the Red Sox insider. Donovan is just 28 years old and won't be a free agent until 2028. Offensively, he would give the Red Sox another dependable bat near the top of the order. In 2025, he slashed .287/.353/.422 with 10 home runs, 50 RBIs, 32 doubles, and 64 runs scored in 118 games played.

He's an interesting fit beyond the offensive numbers. What makes him stand out is his ability to play all over the field. In 2025, Donovan was an All-Star primarily at second base but also played shortstop, left field, and designated hitter. Throughout his career to this point, he has seen action at first base, second base, shortstop, third base, left field, and right field.

On first look, a left-handed bat who primarily plays in the infield doesn't sound like a fit. But, depending on who the Red Sox cut ties with this winter, Donovan is a Swiss Army knife who realistically could help a team at pretty much every position.

If Alex Bregman leaves, he's a good fit at third base. Or, he could play second base with Marcelo Mayer at third base. If the Red Sox significantly deplete their stockpile of outfielders, he could be a fit out there as well. All in all, this is a guy who can play elite defense all over the field and improve the offense. A good idea depending on who Boston loses throughout the offseason.

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