What Would Yankees Want From Braves

In the past few days the one consistent rumor popping up connects the Yankees to the Braves in a trade involving either Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher.

But with the Yankees roster nearly set, what exactly would they expect in return from the Braves if a deal did take place?

Catcher Brian McCann would be the best fit for the Yankees roster, but it is unlikely for a couple of reasons. First, why would the Braves deal their catcher if they are looking to improve the team? Second, it would create a logjam for the Yankees because Jorge Posada would have to move to DH where Hideki Matsui is expected to get most of his at bats.

They would like a catcher, particularly one with more offense than Jose Molina and ready to share time with Posada this season or next. They probably wouldn’t want any lower level catching prospects because they have Jesus Montero, Austin Romine and Kyle Higashioka who are all above average for their level.

The Yankees could also use some help in center field, but since I am not as familiar with the Braves outfielders as I should be. For that reason it is hard to say who the Bombers would want and who the Braves might be willing to deal. Josh Anderson looks intriguing, but after a closer look his walk rate looks poor and his minor league numbers as a whole aren’t very impressive.

With Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Xavier Nady set to be free agents after the 2009 season, outfielders would be preferable. This brings me to Gorkys Hernandez. He looks like a decent prospect. He’s got good speed and an improving walk rate, with little power. He might be a better fit if the Braves were willing to part with him.

The Braves seem to have a few decent pitching prospects they might be willing to deal. Would the Yankees want them though? Probably not. Between Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Brackman, Christian Garcia, Zach McAllister, Jeremy Bleich, Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances and others they have no shortage of pitching prospects.

If they thought they could get a top pitching prospect they might take a chance, but anybody with a ceiling of back of the rotation or bullpen they would probably take a pass on.

Outside of catching, outfield or pitching prospects they would probably have some interest in a high ceiling shortstop prospect as Derek Jeter is on the wrong side of 30.

Realistically, to get this deal done it would take some outfield prospects and some guys that could contribute behind the plate or off the bench this season. Those are the spots where the Yankees are the weakest.