The New York Yankees have a crowded roster in the outfield which has opened the team up to some trading rumors. After acquiring both Carlos Beltran and Jacoby Ellsbury in the offseason, the team has some decisions to make. With Beltran, Ellsbury and Alfonso Soriano as the projected starters, who will be the odd man out?
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports the Yankees are looking to trade Ichiro Suzuki over Brett Gardner. The team is looking for pitching depth, and are not prepared to get rid of Gardner's batt and speed. They plan to move the outfielder to the DH position and trade Suzuki instead.
Rosenthal reports that right now the biggest suitor for Suzuki could be the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team is looking to sign Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka and they believe bringing in Suzuki might help with that effort. As a result, they are offering up former closer JJ Putz in the trade package. Arizona recently acquired Addison Reed to fill the closer spot. Putz is owed $7 million in 2014, so getting Ichiro's $6.5 million contract instead would not be an issue.
The Yankees have said they are looking to add another reliever to the roster and Putz would be a strong option. He is ranked as the 20th best relieve in the baseball over the past three seasons, but struggled most of 2013 as his walks and home runs ratios all hit highs. He only pitched 37 innings this season, but he has experience as both a bullpen guy and a closer which the Yankees are intrigued by.
If this trade does not go through, the San Francisco Giants have showed interest in acquiring Suzuki. Boston Globe writer Nick Cafardo reports the Giants have been looking to add depth to their bench after injuries hit hard in 2013. The team has discussed getting Ichiro, but they will not be willing to give up much for the outfielder who hit just .262 last year and stole 20 bases. Plus his $6 million salary is not favorable for a trade, but he could be used as a strong late-game defensive replacement.
These moves will only happen if New York is ready to give up an outfielder. With seven on the roster, it makes sense to give up one. Putz might not be the best option for a return player, but New York is impressed with the depth he could add.