If the New York Yankees end up engaging with the Texas Rangers at this year’s trade deadline, it needs to be for pitching help—plain and simple. That’s currently the Rangers’ only real strength, while their offense has been among the worst in the league.
So when CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa floated third baseman Jace Jung as a potential trade option for New York in his latest piece, it left many fans puzzled. Though Jung was an All-Star as a rookie in 2023, injuries and inconsistency have plagued him ever since.
The Yankees already have several internal third base options they’re testing—Jazz Chisholm Jr., DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, and JC Escarra. While Jung could bring more youth, a slightly broader offensive toolkit, and everyday experience at the hot corner, he doesn’t directly address any of the Yankees’ pressing needs.
Moreover, acquiring Jung wouldn’t come cheap. He’s under team control for three more seasons and will become increasingly expensive through arbitration. While the idea fills a theoretical void on the roster, it’s more of a speculative fix than a real solution.
Rumors Linking Yankees to Rangers’ Josh Jung Raise Eyebrows
Jung has notable red flags: a 28.2% career strikeout rate and just a 5.3% walk rate, making the comparison to Anthony Volpe fairly accurate—highly touted talent with potential still unrealized.
There’s a world where Jung could quietly contribute from the bottom of the Yankees’ lineup given how underwhelming the veteran sluggers have been. But it’s unclear why the Rangers would sell low on a former top draft pick, highly regarded prospect, All-Star, and playoff performer.
A more sensible path would be for Texas to shop struggling veteran players with proven value and large contracts—like Marcus Semien, Joc Pederson, Kyle Higashioka, Adolis García, or Jake Burger.
A smarter strategy might involve bundling one of those veterans with a marquee pitcher—Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, or the injured Tyler Mahle—in a deal that helps clear salary while making the trade more appealing for a buyer.
Could the Yankees go that route? Possibly—but it’s unlikely, considering their limited payroll flexibility heading into the deadline. Once again, New York’s lack of a reliable starter at a key position is haunting them—something that’s now become a frustrating trend for five straight seasons.
