In an indicator that they are at least in partial-sell mode, the Yankees have let interested teams know they are open to talking about their walk-year players — a group headlined by Harrison Bader, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Wandy Peralta and Luis Severino.
The Yankees continued to try to operate on two tracks — see if they could move out some veterans for prospects and perhaps salary relief while trying to acquire pieces that have control beyond the 2023 season. It exemplifies that the leadership is not overly optimistic about the playoff chances of this group as it ponders A.) subtracting and B.) prioritizing upgrades with control beyond the current season.
It was still possible that the Yankees might be able to make a trade for someone such as Cardinals switch-hitting outfielder Dylan Carlson, who cannot be a free agent until after the 2026 season. But a moan heard throughout the industry with the trade deadline nearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday was how high prices remained in general and how particularly steep they were for any player of quality who has control for years beyond 2023.
There has been some talk that Hal Steinbrenner would like to draw the payroll below the top tax threshold of $293 million, especially if this is not going to be a playoff season. The Yankees payroll is projected to about $297 million. So if Severino, who is due about $5 million the rest of the year, is moved without the Yanks having to eat dollars and/or a combination of the others, the Yanks might be able to sink below that threshold.
Of the walk-year players, Peralta arguably has the greatest value to the 2023 team. He had held lefty hitters to a .091 average this season through Sunday — the lowest in the AL for any pitcher who had faced at least 60 lefty batters. None of the 67 lefties to bat against Peralta in 2023 had an extra-base hit. The Yankees’ other lefty reliever, Nick Ramirez, had allowed opposing lefties to hit .306 with an .848 OPS.
The Yankees’ main righty relievers — Ian Hamilton, Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle and Michael King — are all strong against lefties; and so historically is Jonathan Loaisiga, who is due to return from injury soon. Still, Peralta’s durability, unflappability and rep as a good teammate — besides his lefty excellence — leave a void if he were moved.
Peralta battled control problems, particularly early in the season. But his overall body of work — 2.29 ERA, .188 batting average against and familiar durability — has been excellent; and in his last 13 outings covering 10 ¹/₃ innings, Peralta had yielded just one run. All of that is why the Yanks would probably net a nice return in a market crying for good relievers if they decided to actually move Peralta.
Bader was obtained at the deadline last year from the Cardinals for Jordan Montgomery and his time so far with the Yankees has been star-crossed. He hit five homers in 10 playoff games and has generally played to his reputation as a superb defensive center fielder. But he arrived injured with right foot plantar fasciitis and furthered his rep as an injury-prone player by having two IL stints earlier this season.
He can thrill and frustrate with daring play, and this year had seven homers, 10 steals, a .260 average and .711 OPS.
Severino is a fascinating case. Among pitchers with 50 innings this season, Severino’s 7.49 ERA is the third worst. He has looked lost most of the season with opponents hitting .329 with a .978 OPS. But he has pedigree as a strong starter and his fastball has not lost velocity. In a market in which teams are looking for a starter, could someone take a change-of-scenery risk on the righty and feel they could help him recapture a better, if not the best, version of Severino?
Kiner-Falefa has handled his jack-of-all-trades role well this year, learning outfield on the fly (no pun intended) and providing capable-or-better defense. He is not a needle-mover for any contender, but more a helpful piece for a contender that could use versatility, speed and the ability to put the ball in play. Basically a useful 26th man. Since April 29, over 184 plate appearances, Kiner-Falefa was hitting .281 with a .774 OPS.
