Chicago Cubs: The likeliest trade destinations for the Big 3

Chicago Cubs: Can Javier Baez help spur a late season Yankees run?

We all heard the chatter that Jed Hoyer and the Cubs would try to extend both Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo before the deadline. That was unfortunately 10 days ago and time is drastically running short now. The New York Yankees are in need of an upgrade at shortstop and Baez could be the spark that ignites the flame in the Bronx. Though nine games back behind the division rival Boston Red Sox, the Yanks sit at only 3 1/2 back in the Wild Card race and, as we all know, anything can happen in October.

Could a Baez trade to the Bronx bring back Gleyber Torres, who was signed by Chicago and part of the Aroldis Chapman deal? We must first look at the parameters. With the luxury tax currently at $210 million and the Yankees payroll at $209 million, they will likely have to find a way to make it work financially, unless they just decide to blow through the threshold.

Not being in first place may make a penalty such as this less palatable if you’re Yankees GM Brian Cashman. Or more importantly, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner, who spends in a very different way from that of his father, the legendary George Steinbrenner.

Other than a financial aspect, a move for Baez could make a serious impact in the AL East. If the Cubs wouldn’t look at Torres for a potential return, a prospect package headlined by current Double-A affiliate, Oswald Peraza, could do the trick as well. Peraza is currently #96 in the MLB top 100 prospects and #4 in the Yankees organization. Peraza currently has an MLB ETA of 2023.