According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Miami pitcher Pablo Lopez is the “biggest name” in the MLB reportedly available for trade this off-season. The New York Yankees almost got him last season before the deal fell through. There are rumors in the insiders’ circle that the Yankees may make an attempt to bring him to Yankees Stadium in pinstripes next season.
In 2022, the 26-year-old right-hander won 10 games and made 32 starts, both of which were career highs. Pablo Lopez also had a respectable ERA of 3.75. Spotrac says that Lopez, who has been in MLB for five years, is controlled by the team for two more years.
Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman may be tempted to have the right-hander and could find it convenient to discuss the possibility with Marlins’ Kimberly Ng, who Cashman recruited in 1998 as his assistant. She worked under him for three years before joining the Dodgers in 2001.
Considering the Yankees have several issues in their bullpen that played a key role in their ALCS exit this year, Cashman would be keeping an eye on Lopez.
Last August, Heyman predicted a possible trade by the Yankees involving Pablo Lopez. He reported:
“The Yankees looked into Marlins right-handed pitcher Pablo Lopez, but were asked about Anthony Volpe, Oswald Peraza, or Gleyber Torres.”
However, the deal reportedly fell as the Yankees found the Marlins’ demands too big to accept. Joel Sherman of the New York Post then reported that “The Marlins were asking for Gleyber Torres in addition to more for Lopez. It was far too lavish.”
This year, the situation may change if the Yankees offer Torres alone to the Marlins for Pablo Lopez. Last season, the 25-year-old hit 24 home runs, showing the power that made him an All-Star twice. With Oswald Peraza gaining attention for his play and a very good MiLB performance by Anthony Volpe putting him closer to the MLB cap, the Yankees have a plethora of options for middle infielders than they need.
Do you think the Yankees should go for Pablo Lopez?
