IF OAKLAND WILL SELL MATT OLSON, THE YANKEES MUST BUY!

There's a big shakeup happening in Oakland right now. There should be just as big of a shakeup here in the Bronx, but that didn't quite happen. Something big still could happen though if the Yankees and the Oakland A's start talking.

Did you see what happened last week in Oakland? After 11 years Bob Melvin has left Oakland to manage the San Diego Padres. You may be asking "so what?" because that move alone isn't a big deal. However, right after that the A’s declined their team option on lefty reliever Jake Diekman who had a 3.86 ERA in 67 games. Even with a much smaller payroll, he's still "affordable" to Oakland at $4 million. So is this a sign that Oakland is looking to sell and maybe bigger names like Matt Olson are a trade chip that Oakland could use to rebuild again. Maybe....and if they are the Yankees need to go all in.

Olson is a perfect target for the Yankees and would help strengthen the infield. He's 27, gives the Yankees another left handed bat that they need and can run into a few home runs. He hit 39 last season, was an All-Star and and is a 2021 Silver Slugger AND Gold Glove finalist. 

He's the guy I get excited about. Honestly Luke Voit hasn't been healthy recently and his defense is subpar. I'm also not crazy about using DJ LeMahieu at first when his best position is second. The Yankees need to retool their roster in several positions, and that includes first base.

But what would it take to get him? I think the conversation STARTS with Voit, Domingo German and Gleyber Torres. I don't see that as enough to get Olson, but it's where they can open and see where it goes. I don't like the idea of including Torres to be honest, but he doesn't have a good home if the Yankees are going to use LeMahieu at second and Oakland will like that he is young and won't be a free agent until 2025. At this point, I'm open to any possibilities with this team....even trading away a young Torres.

Olson is the type of player and bat that the Yankees need to transform this roster. He's a hot name that many other teams would love to acquire. If the Yankees can get Oakland to bite, they need to move fast. Olson is a dream catch right now. If Oakland is willing to sell, the Yankees need to get it done.

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Senior Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj