The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are consistently the two biggest spenders in MLB, and while many believed they were destined to collide in this year’s World Series, both teams have gone through prolonged slumps over the past few months and are in the market for upgrades at the trade deadline.
The two juggernauts are now reportedly butting heads as each is attempting to acquire one of the market’s most accomplished bats.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that the Yankees and Dodgers are engaged in a “bidding war” over Tampa Bay Rays star third baseman Isaac Paredes.
Both teams are in need of corner infield help and some added thump from the right side of the plate, and Paredes would fill both needs as he has 16 homers, 55 RBIs, and a .793 OPS this season.
The Dodgers have gone through the past few months without Max Muncy, who has been out since May 15th with an oblique injury, while the Yankees have been without Anthony Rizzo for most of the year, though DJ LeMahieu recently returned.
Rizzo and LeMahieu both look like they might be declining as Rizzo turns 35 in a few weeks and DJ recently turned 36.
Paredes is just 25 and is fresh off his first All-Star appearance while having three more years of team control after 2024, so his asking price can’t be cheap.
It’s hard to envision why the Rays would trade such a young and talented bat with years of team control while once again being in contention to make the playoffs, but after dealing Randy Arozarena, Zach Eflin, and Jason Adam, it’s clear the Rays are once again looking to tear things down.