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The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees have both reinforced their World Series rosters with significant additions this winter, and perhaps a win-win transaction between the two could be next.
The Dodgers followed up their 2024 championship by adding the likes of Blake Snell, Tanner Scott and Roki Sasaki. Meanwhile, the Yankees have acquired Devin Williams, Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt, among others.
But now the Dodgers seem to be facing a roster crunch, with a need to part ways with a member of their team, while the Yankees seem to have a need for another infielder. Those needs have prompted Thomas Carannante of FanSided to float a blockbuster trade idea that would send Dodgers veteran Max Muncy on his way to New York City.
“Max Muncy?! The perfect Yankees target?” Carannante asked. “With (Freddie) Freeman, (Shohei) Ohtani, (Hye-seong) Kim and Michael Conforto able to hit from the left side of the plate, the Dodgers don’t necessarily have a glaring need for lefty bats. Meanwhile, the Yankees do not have a starting third baseman at the moment. Yes, Jazz Chilsholm held down the fort nicely in 2024, but it was his first time playing the position. Moving him back to second base and acquiring a veteran with lefty power and above-average defense to take over the hot corner would be the preferred move.”
Carannante noted that, even though their roster is already crunched, the Dodgers might only move Muncy if they are able to acquire star third baseman Nolan Arenado, which could still be on the docket amid a relentless offseason for the team.
Muncy would then find himself as an odd man out on the roster and a team like the Yankees might be the natural destination. Muncy signed a two-year, $24 million contract in 2023 and has a $10 million club option for 2026, making him a relatively cheap veteran. He struggled offensively and was limited by injury in 2024, but has two All-Star nods and three seasons of Most Valuable Player Award votes in his career. And he slugged 36 homers and 105 RBI in his 2023 campaign, suggesting something significant could still be left in the tank.
At this point, a trade that would send Muncy to the Yankees seems like something that might have to wait until Arenado’s home for 2025 is determined. Either the Yankees or Dodgers could make sense for Arenado, but if the reigning World Series champion lands him, the Yankees could be a fit for their then-displaced veteran.
“The Yankees remain on the periphery of the Arenado rumors, but with the Dodgers’ buzz heating up, perhaps New York can make the next best thing happen if LA strikes again in their quest to build the best roster of all time,” Carannante concluded.
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