If the Yankees are to bring back Aaron Judge this winter, it would take a sizeable financial commitment, one of at least $300 million, as is the reported current offer from the Bombers.
So, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the team is reportedly looking to trade off some of its bad contracts beforehand, specifically Josh Donaldson and Aaron Hicks.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Yanks have made Donaldson and Hicks “available” for trade, and could be willing to include cash of their own in a deal that offloads either player, or could take another “inflated contract” in return.
Donaldson was the team’s big winter acquisition, but the former MVP and his $25 million salary produced a .682 OPS this season, and was a strikeout machine in October. Meanwhile, Hicks was benched down the stretch of the regular season when his defense in the outfield began to match his dreadful season at the plate, offering little for his seven year, $70 million contract.
Also in New York, the Mets are reportedly looking to do the same with struggling catcher James McCann, who has been a disappointment since arriving on a four-year deal.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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