Pair Of Cardinals Sluggers Linked To Yankees In Recent Trade Speculation

Both teams need to make changes ahead of the trade deadline

The New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals are in a position where each team's needs could be met with one trade.

The Cardinals lack of pitching and the Yankees' dire need for offense is growing without Aaron Judge in their lineup. The Cardinals wouldn't have to give up much in this potential trade to get much-needed pitching depth for the future.

"Paul DeJong and Alec Burleson are none too shabby," Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer wrote. "The former is back to being a slick fielder in addition to a decent hitter, while the latter would bring a much-needed bat-to-ball skill to New York's lineup."

Rymer proposed a trade that would send DeJong and Burleson to the Yankees for three of the top pitching prospects in their organization.

This season DeJong is hitting .232 with 18 extra-base hits, 11 home runs, 23 RBIs and a .757 OPS in 50 games. 

Burleson is hitting .219 with 13 extra-base hits, five home runs, 15 RBIs, and a .647 OPS in 51 games. 

In return, the Cardinals would receive right-handers Will Warren (Yankees' No. 7 prospect according to MLB Pipeline), Richard Fitts (No. 8 prospect), and Randy Vásquez (No. 12 prospect).

The article did not appear to have sourced information and was more speculatory but it does make sense. The Yankees have a desperate need for outfield help in the short and long term and Burleson would certainly help, especially given his five years of team control after 2023. 

DeJong could aid with a multitude of problems. Anthony Volpe's lack of production has hampered the team and the veteran could at least spell him to help the win-now mode New York has been thrust into. He'd also be able to replace Josh Donaldson or DJ LeMahieu -- both of whom have struggled mightily. 

Would the Cardinals be able to acquire three top prospects for the duo of DeJong and Burleson? That might be a stretch but the latter having a half-decade of team control would certainly drive up the price, especially given his recent prospect pedigree. 

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