3 Yankees players Rangers should target in trades following New York's embarrassing playoff exit

The Tampa Bay Rays absolutely embarrassed the New York Yankees with a 3-0 sweep in the American League Division Series, eliminating New York from the postseason. It marked the second consecutive year that the Yankees were bounced by a division rival in the ALDS.

On the surface, it seems like the Yankees had a good season. They finished with 93 wins and defeated the Boston Red Sox in the American League Wild Card Series. Even though the Rangers won the World Series just a few years ago, many Texas fans would've been happy if the Rangers won 90+ games and a playoff series this year.

However, the Rangers are not the Yankees, the franchise with the most World Series championships (27). New York is in the midst of its longest World Series drought since the early 1900s, with the club not winning the Fall Classic since 2009. The Yankees clearly need major organizational changes, and trading several players could be part of them.

If the Yankees make several players available, the Rangers should consider acquiring a few. Unloading Josh Jung or Corey Seager to acquire one or more Yankees players could make sense.

3 Yankees players Rangers should target in trades following New York's early playoff exit

INF Anthony Volpe

Volpe had an interesting season. He began the year on the injured list after undergoing left shoulder surgery. He finally returned in May. After months of struggling at the plate, Volpe was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The Yankees recalled Volpe on Sept. 10. He posted a below-average .265/.308/.388 slash line in 14 games with New York in September. He recorded 1.4 fWAR and an 88 wRC+ over 70 games with New York this season.

Volpe appeared in just two of the Yankees' five postseason games this year. He went 1-for-3 in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series and 2-for-4 in Game 3 of the ALDS.

Volpe, 25, can play shortstop, second base, and third base. If the Rangers trade Jung and/or Seager this offseason, acquiring Volpe would make a lot of sense for Texas. He is under team control through the 2028 season.

LHP Ryan Weathers

The Yankees acquired Weathers from the Miami Marlins this past offseason. He posted a 3.60 ERA with 143 strikeouts over 137 1/3 innings during the regular season. He missed the final month of the regular season after suffering a left forearm flexor strain. In many ways, he gave the Yankees what the Rangers were hoping to receive from MacKenzie Gore.

The Yankees used Weathers, 26, out of the bullpen during the postseason. He threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings across two appearances.

Weathers is under team control through the 2028 season. The Yankees have an abundance of talented pitching and need a third baseman, so a Weathers-Jung swap could make sense for both Texas and New York.

OF Heliot Ramos

The Yankees just acquired Ramos, trading for him from the San Francisco Giants at this year's deadline. However, he was a non-factor in the postseason, with just three at-bats. As a result, the Yankees would likely be interested in moving him this offseason.

Ramos, 27, is a right-handed hitter. With left-handed-hitting outfielders Brandon Nimmo and Evan Carter, Texas could use a right-handed-hitting outfielder to balance the lineup, especially when facing southpaws. Joc Pederson will be a free agent at the conclusion of the World Series, so the DH spot will be open next year as well.

Ramos, under team control through the 2028 season, hit just .198/.309/.379 over 38 games after joining the Yankees. Because he struggled with New York, Ramos likely won't be too expensive on the trade market if the Yankees make him available.

Since making his MLB debut in 2022, Ramos has hit .253/.315/.417 with 57 homers and 189 RBI. He is known to mash left-handed pitching, posting a .908 OPS against southpaws this year.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow