Yankees star could make a surprising offseason trade with the Nationals.

The New York Yankees could end up trading one of their best hitters this offseason.

New York has been linked to superstars like San Diego Padres slugger Juan Soto but may need to end up clearing some salary. The player who has popped up the most in possible trades to shed salary is second baseman Gleyber Torres.

Torres was stellar for the Yankees in 2023 but is expected to make over $15 million next year. Plus, there has been plenty of interest from around the league in Torres — including the Boston Red Sox. One team that could make sense as a trade partner is the Washington Nationals in a trade for outfielder Lane Thomas, according to The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty.

“It would be a difficult pill to swallow for the Yankees to trade Torres, for many reasons,” Kuty said. “He was their most consistent hitter last year behind Aaron Judge. Last season, he rebounded after two down years. And he’s become part of the fabric of the clubhouse. But if the Yankees are looking to trim a little salary in the event they add (Juan Soto), moving Torres could be an option. MLB Trade Rumors projects

the Venezuela native to make $15.3 million next season via salary arbitration, and he’ll be a free agent going into 2025. The Yankees could look at trying Oswald Peraza at second base for the season.

“In Thomas, the Yankees could get a capable hitter (114 OPS+ last season compared to Torres’ 118). They would also get someone they could move to center field at a projected $7 million next season. Thomas won’t be a free agent until after the 2025 season.”

Kuty put together a list of hypothetical trades for the Yankees to make this offseason and linked the Yankees and Nationals together. This deal certainly would make sense. The Yankees would shed salary while also adding help to a position of need. New York needs help in the outfield and has a surplus of infielders. A move could make sense.