
Trade Proposal No. 2: Five Player Deal
Yankees Receive:
- OF Starling Marte
- RP Yimi Garcia
Marlins Receive:
- SS Josh Smith (Yankees No. 14 Prospect)
- OF Brandon Lockridge (Yankees No. 20 Prospect)
- RHP Glenn Otto (Yankees No. 28 Prospect)
While this five player deal wouldn’t land Miami a player that we would likely see in the big leagues for the remainder of the 2021 season, it would include three names we could all very easily see in 2022.
The arguable center piece of this deal for the Marlins would be 23-year old shortstop Josh Smith, a former second round pick by New York in the 2019 MLB Draft. A former LSU product, Smith is currently dominating High-A pitching slashing .344/.452/.625, and could very well rise quickly through the minor leagues.
Considered as one of the best pure-hitters in the Yankees system, Smith’s name has continued to come up frequently in trade talks, and rightfully so as he has the ability to be an above-average two-way player at both middle infield positions.
Joining Smith would be New York’s No. 20 prospect Brandon Lockridge, as well as No. 28 prospect Glenn Otto. Lockridge is currently batting .378 down in Double-A, and is showcasing some impressive power to combine with his elite-speed, undoubtedly the best in the Yankees system. Otto, a 25-year old right-hander, currently posts a 3.23 ERA in Triple-A, and is a player who has previous experience as both a starter and reliever.
When looking at the Yankees return, Marte is obviously the main piece, but Yimi Garcia is also an option for a team that likely needs bullpen help. Garcia, a free agent at seasons end, has struggled at times during his first season as a closer posting a 3.57 ERA with 14 saves, but would surely return to a 6-8th inning role with the Yankees bullpen.
While the return for Miami here wouldn’t include “high-profile” names like a Florial or others, it would include three players who could all make an impact in the big leagues as early as next season.