Michael Kay Drops Bombshell Yankees Should Push for Tatis Jr Trade

When Michael Kay talks Yankees fans listen even when they pretend they do not want to. And this time he dropped a take that actually makes sense. Kay said straight up that the Yankees should pick up the phone and try to trade for Fernando Tatis Jr. Not tip toe. Not ask politely. Make the call. And for once the Yankees should stop overthinking it.

Kay laid it out clearly. The Yankees need a right handed bat. Not another patch. Not another bargain experiment. They need a player who can hit for power run play elite defense and shift the entire identity of the lineup. That player exists and his name is Fernando Tatis Jr.

Tatis is only 26. He turns 27 in January. He just finished a season hitting 268 with 25 homers 71 runs driven in and 159 hits. That is production the Yankees desperately need. Add in elite outfield defense the ability to play right left and even shortstop in emergencies and suddenly you have a player who gives you flexibility and superstar impact at the same time.

Michael Kay says the Yankees should try to make a trade for Fernando Tatis Jr. pic.twitter.com/JVQzt10ekZ

— Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) November 22, 2025

Kay Points Out the Contract Everybody Lied About

Remember when people said the Padres ruined their future by giving Tatis 14 years and 340 million. Kay ran the numbers and showed how wrong that idea looks now. The average annual value is only 24.29 million. Think about that. Trent Grisham is making just under that. Tatis is far better and far more dynamic.

Starting in 2026 he makes 20 million. Then 25 million for two years. Then 36 million a year from 2029 to 2034. For a prime age superstar that is still below market compared to today’s insane free agent prices. And unlike other mega contracts this one does not chain you to age 40. It ends around his age 36 or 37 season. Manageable. Logical. Smart.

Kay even mentioned the PED situation. If Tatis ever gets hit again the Yankees could basically get out of the contract. It is high reward and the risk is not franchise destroying.

Kay Thinks Tatis Would Waive His No Trade Clause for New York

Through 2028 Tatis has a no trade clause. Kay believes that with his theatrics flair and spotlight personality he would waive that instantly for the Bronx. And honestly he is right. New York is the biggest stage in baseball and Tatis plays like he was born for it. The showmanship the confidence the swagger all of it fits Yankee Stadium perfectly.

The Bellinger Warning

Kay also made one thing clear. If the bidding on Cody Bellinger hits or passes thirty million the Yankees should walk away. Cody has had peaks and valleys. The Dodgers non tendered him after an MVP season. The Cubs traded him to the Yankees for Cody Poteet and ate salary just to move him. Boras will chase the longest and richest contract possible and the Yankees cannot get sucked into that again.

Kay believes that is when the Yankees should pivot to Tatis. And he is right. Bigger impact. Better athlete. Younger. More electric. You give up prospects but you get a franchise altering player.

Kay Might Have Finally Said What the Yankees Need to Hear

For months Yankee fans have been begging the front office to get bold. Kay put a name to the idea. You want to change the direction of the team. You want to put fear back in opposing pitchers. You want Judge to have real protection in the lineup. You go get Fernando Tatis Jr.

Kay said it. And he is not wrong.