The New York Yankees might benefit from the Red Sox-Rafael Devers trade in more ways than one.
The first benefit is obvious — New York no longer has to face a noted Yankees killer, Devers, a dozen or so times per year.
But there’s another twist to the Devers deal for New York.
Raffy landing with the San Francisco Giants might open up a trade opportunity between San Fran and the Yanks.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has been reportedly eyeing reinforcements at the hot corner.
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Could an addition come in the form of a veteran Giants third baseman?
Drew VonScio of Newsweek outlined the case for a potential Yankees-Giants trade, writing: “As the trade deadline nears, the New York Yankees have been searching for an answer in their infield. That long-term solution could be Giants third baseman Matt Chapman.”
“Chapman is currently on the injured list but is slowly working his way back and could start a rehab assignment as early as a week,” VonScio continued.
“The Giants’ $151 million third baseman will have to watch his potential replacement at least until he starts his rehab assignment. Prior to his injury, he was hitting .242 with 12 home runs and 30 RBI. Normally, the Giants would have any and all leverage as the 32-year-old infielder has five 1/2 years of team control left. However, that flipped when the Giants brought in Devers.”
“Now, San Francisco will have to take the best offer they can get for Chapman, who won’t be happy playing second fiddle. That is, if Devers does not remain in the designated hitter role.”
The former Athletics third baseman would be a dream come true for the Bronx Bombers. He’s won five Gold Gloves in his career, including two Platinum Gloves, and he’s also been a recipient of the Wilson Overall Defensive Player of the Year Award. Chapman is also a career .241 hitter with a career OPS+ of 119 to this point, showing he has an above-average bat.”
For the Yankees, landing Chapman would address a critical need.
Can Cashman work his magic?
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