The New York Yankees have done well following the departure of superstar outfielder Juan Soto. They secured a major trade for Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger, and also replaced Nestor Cortes with Max Fried and Clay Holmes with Devin Williams.
While there’s still some work to be done on the corner infield, another major trade could be on the horizon. The Yankees may consider a blockbuster deal with the Houston Astros, potentially involving a trade of Astros pitcher Framber Valdez for Yankees pitcher Marcus Stroman. Here’s one possible trade scenario:
Yankees Receive: LHP Framber Valdez
Astros Receive: RHP Marcus Stroman, RHP Will Warren (No. 5 prospect), OF Francisco Vilorio (No. 15 prospect)
This trade benefits the Yankees in two ways. First, it adds another ace-caliber pitcher to their rotation alongside Gerrit Cole and Max Fried. Second, it clears Stroman’s remaining contract, freeing up funds to target players like Alex Bregman or Christian Walker in free agency.
The Astros appear to be in a retooling phase and could trade expiring contracts for controllable assets. Similar to their move with Kyle Tucker, they might do the same with Valdez. Stroman brings multiple years of team control and the ability to remain effective in the majors.
Will Warren, the Yankees’ top pitching prospect, could be ready for the big leagues by spring training and may have a chance to make the Astros’ roster. Francisco Vilorio is a young outfielder with a strong bat and arm, and if he can develop his skills, he has the potential to become a star.
