Yankees-Rangers trade proposal brings high-average 3B to Bronx

For the New York Yankees, the 2025 trade deadline is a huge opportunity.

At 30-20 in late May, the Yankees entered play Saturday with a five-game lead atop the American League East. But with a key addition or two, they can go from one of the favorites to win the pennant to the clear front-runners.

The most obvious hole the Yankees have in their lineup is at third base. It's been a revolving door all season, with youngsters Jorbit Vivas and Oswald Peraza doing their best to hold down the all-important position at the moment. 

Veteran D.J. LeMahieu is another option for New York, but the brutally honest truth is that none of those players should be counted on in the middle of a pennant chase. With that in mind, one Yankees analyst is calling for a potential blockbuster.

On Saturday, Pinstripe Territory host Derek Levandowski named Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung as a top hypothetical trade target for New York at this year's deadline.

"The Rangers do have a lot of infield depth," Levandowski said. "This guy is an elite defender. He's got some upside with the bat. Couple years ago, he had 23 home runs. He's still 27 years old.

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"I like this guy. Defensively, he reminds me of like a young Matt Chapman. He's that kind of fielder. And I think there's room to grow offensively."

The obvious issue with the idea of the Yankees trading for Jung is that the Rangers, who won a World Series with him at third base two years ago, would have to decide that they're better off dumping him for young talent. That's pretty low on the "safe assumption" scale.

However, one never knows what another front office is thinking until they place the call. And if the Rangers desperately want to get their hands on a specific Yankees farmhand, perhaps there's an outside chance.

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