If the Yankees and Orioles ever get serious about a deal, the dream name in New York would be Adley Rutschman. But that kind of swing feels unlikely, which is why the conversation has started drifting toward a different Baltimore arm: Yennier Cano.
Chris Landers recently framed Cano as a more complicated trade candidate, noting, “Cano, on the other hand, is a trickier case, given that he won't be a free agent until after the 2028 season. Then again, he's had an awfully hard time finding both health and consistency during his O's career, and Baltimore could be motivated to move him while he's on the mound and pitching well. If they can get a meaningful prospect or two in return, that could be worth more than two seasons of a reliever who's been difficult to trust,” Chris Landers wrote.
That’s the kind of profile that could make sense for the Yankees if Baltimore is open to moving him: a reliever who has flashed real value, but not one who has been steady enough to feel untouchable. Cano has been strong at points over the last few seasons, yet he’s also had stretches where he’s looked ordinary.
The biggest red flag is the strikeout rate. This year, he’s fanned just 27 hitters in 29.0 innings, which leaves plenty of room for concern.
If Cano sharpens that up after the break, he could become a more appealing target for New York. But based on what he’s shown so far, there’s understandable skepticism about whether that jump is coming.
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