Top MLB Trade Targets for the New York Yankees With Aaron Judge Injured

What had been a bit of a mystery for the New York Yankees and Aaron Judge became clearer earlier this week when the star outfielder was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right rib. While the early timetable for Judge’s return to play is four-to-six weeks, that’s a bit of a relief as some within the organization initially feared he had a season-ending injury.

While that’s not the case, the Yankees will be without the three-time MVP until likely after the All-Star break. Since 2020, New York is 138 games over .500 when Judge is in the lineup, compared to nine games under .500 when he’s not.

The Yanks have lost three of four this year without Judge, so that’s naturally leading fans of the Bronx Bombers to consider options to fill Judge’s large shoes.

The Yankees, obviously, are no stranger to acquiring big names in trades; these are the top potential trade targets who could slot into the outfield, or the lineup, during Judge’s absence.

Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels

If the Yankees want to go big-name hunting, there’s no bigger name out there than Mike Trout who, like Judge, is a three-time MVP. The 34-year-old is having his best season in years, due to him actually staying healthy, as he leads the AL in both runs and walks, while his 14 home runs are already tied for his second-most since 2019. Acquiring a player of Trout’s caliber wouldn’t be a short-term solution, as he’s owed roughly $150 million through 2030, but if anyone could foot the costs, it’s the Yankees.

Trout has been reluctant to depart the only franchise he’s ever known, even with the Angels having the worst record in the AL. But with it going on a dozen years since his last postseason appearance, perhaps he’ll reconsider waiving his no-trade clause. It certainly doesn’t hurt that Trout is from the Tri-State area, having grown up in Millville, New Jersey.

Jo Adell, Los Angeles Angels

Another potential Angel in the outfield that the Yanks could go after is Jo Adell, the former No. 2 overall prospect in all of baseball. The 27-year-old hasn’t come close to living up to that billing and is maybe better served as a fourth outfielder/stopgap option rather than the full-time right fielder he currently is for L.A. A bonus is that Adell has absolutely crushed the ball at Yankee Stadium as he has his second-most homers (5) and third-highest OPS (.918) there among any visiting ballpark (min. 20 PAs).

Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox

For a 17-year stretch from 1997 to 2014, the Yankees didn’t complete a single trade with their biggest rival in the Boston Red Sox. That Cold War has defrosted a bit, with the teams executing three separate trades since 2023, and bringing Jarren Duran to the Bronx could be a fourth.

Once Roman Anthony returns from the IL, the Red Sox will have a surplus of outfielders. They’ll essentially have five players who warrant full-time playing time for four positions, including the DH. Duran, who is arbitration eligible this offseason, seems to be the most likely to head out of Beantown. His 9.0 WAR two years ago was the third best in all of baseball, and while his bat hasn’t been as consistent since, his speed and defense are constant. His ability to man center field would also be a huge plus and allow Trent Grisham, who has struggled at CF this season, to transition to a corner spot.

Jung Hoo Lee, San Francisco Giants

A star in Korea, Jung Hoo Lee was a one-time MVP, two-time batting champion, and five-time Gold Glove winner in the KBO. When he was posted in 2023, the Yankees were one of the teams heavily linked with him, but he decided to join the Giants instead. Lee’s presence at the plate has improved in each of his three MLB seasons, and his .324 average ranks fourth in the NL. His elite defense in the KBO hasn’t carried over to MLB ballparks, but he’s a pristine target with San Fran 15.5 games out of first place and destined to be sellers. However, just like in 2023, the Yankees will be one of many bidders for Lee’s services.

Brett Baty, New York Mets

With Judge (3 times), Giancarlo Stanton, Cody Bellinger, and Paul Goldschmidt, the Yankees have four MVP winners on their roster. That also means the Yankees have an old roster, as the average age of their batters of 30.0 is the oldest in the AL. Thus, they could use an injection of youth, and the 26-year-old Baty would provide that, in addition to positional versatility.

A third baseman by trade, Baty has also logged time at first base, at second base, and in right field for the Mets. He’s held his own in the outfield this season, playing it for the first time in his MLB career, but with Juan Soto and Carson Benge locked into the Mets’ corner outfield spots, Baty becomes expendable. Including his arbitration years, he wouldn’t become a free agent until 2030, so the Yanks could get someone who’s not yet reached his prime, unlike everyone else on this list. While Baty is hitting just .233 this year, the native Texan has shown a high level of comfort in The Big Apple. He’s spent his entire career with the Mets and has a career OPS that’s 202 points higher at home (.762) than on the road (.560).