Steinbrenner’s austere approach could result in the Yankees’ search for top-tier talent being moved to the budget bin. However, this doesn’t mean cheap trade candidates are taken off the table, provided they don’t put too much strain on the roster or farming system. With this in mind, here are three potential trade chips that could get the most bang for Steinbrenner’s money if the team is willing to part with them.
FROM Jasson Dominguez
Dominguez has tremendous potential, but he was somewhat problematic for the Yankees. The Martian posted a .257/.331/.388 slash line with 10 home runs in 2025. However, his offense isn’t the problem.
Dominguez has struggled defensively in left field. This limited him to 429 plate appearances in the regular season and only one in the postseason. The Yankees would likely be hesitant to give him up — and for good reason. Still, New York has no room for defensive commitments. And Spencer Jones, who will find his way onto the roster next season, will tick off more options for the Yankees as he can play centerfield capably.
At $820,000 next season, trading Dominguez wouldn’t count as a salary dump. However, with years of control and a high ceiling, dangling him could give the Yankees what they want in a trade.
RHP Clarke Schmidt
When healthy, Schmidt has proven to be a solid arm in the middle of the rotation. Over the past two seasons, Schmidt was limited to 30 starts; however, during that time he pitched to a 3.07 ERA.
In July, Schmidt underwent Tommy John surgery for the second time. He is expected to return in the second half of 2026. Any team interested in Schmidt will likely like the remaining years of his contract, as he is under team control through 2028.
For the Yankees, trading Schmidt would allow them to move on with other options. New York should start pitching on the free-agent market and has righties Elmer Rodriguez and Carlos Lagrange waiting in the wings. Schmidt is owed $5 million next season, and while that’s not a lot by baseball standards, it will help the Yankees in free agency.
RHP Bryce Cunningham
Trading a minor leaguer doesn’t qualify as a salary dump, but it opens quite a few doors for the Yankees No. 5 prospect could unlock. Unlike Rodriguez and Lagrange, Cunningham is over a year removed from his debut. This makes him redundant because the Yankees, who enter the season with three starters (Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and Schmidt have all had surgery), have to pitch on Opening Day.
Cunningham had an exceptional performance in his rookie year, posting a 2.82 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 54.1 innings pitched in High-A. He has an arsenal of just three pitches (fastball, slider and changeup), but each offering has a lot of potential and all are rated as assets. With the right package, Cunningham could easily make the Yankees a productive player.
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