Available... in the Right Deal


I was in Trenton on Wednesday afternoon to get another look at Jorge Mateo. And the highly touted Yankee prospect didn't disappoint -- delivering a sixth inning grand slam to break open the Thunder's victory over Hartford. With the rumor mill brimming with stories potentially linking the Yankees and A's over Sonny Gray, Mateo might be the key player Oakland has been scouting in recent days.
He's the kind of young, versatile, "toolsy" and cost-effective player the low-budget A's crave. While the Yankees continue to place an emphasis on young talent, his path to the Bronx is blocked by young outfielders such as Clint Frazier, Dustin Fowler, Aaron Judge and Aaron Hicks. Among infielders, Didi Gregorius, just 27, seems well established at short, Gleyber Torres seems to be penciled in as "third baseman of the future," and Starlin Castro has done well at second base.
So a surplus in the Yankee organization positions them well to fill the club's one serious need -- starting pitching.
The Arm and Hammer Park crowd cheers as Mateo's blast clears the home run stripe.



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