The New York Yankees’ roster is likely to look much different when the 2017 season opens.
Alex Rodriguez obviously is gone, as is the retiring Mark Teixeira. It’s looking more and more likely another Yankees veteran, Brian McCann, won’t be on the Opening Day lineup, either.
The New York Daily News reported Wednesday the Yankees have identified a potential trade partner for McCann — and the two years and $34 million left on his contract. That potential partner might be the Houston Astros, as MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported the Astros have interest in the veteran slugger.
There are hurdles in moving McCann, though. He has a full no-trade clause, meaning any trade needs his approval. That being said, Houston seems like a good place for the 32-year-old to land.
The Astros, most would argue, probably are closer to contending than the Yankees … for now, at least. Houston needs to add some power to the middle of its lineup, and McCann could provide that. He hit 20 home runs and drove in 58 runs last year in 130 games, posting a .748 OPS.
The Yankees, meanwhile, continue to transition into their next stage, ushering in younger talent like Gary Sanchez or Aaron Judge, making players like McCann expendable.
Thumbnail photo via Danny Wild/USA TODAY Sports Images
