Prior to the MLB lockout, the New York Yankees had been mulling the idea of a potential blockbuster trade to acquire Oakland Athletics star Matt Olson. The A's are reported to be willing to part with Olson, due to fears that he'd walk away for nothing in free agency in just a couple of seasons. Well, the Yankees and A's reportedly held discussions over an Olson trade, though nothing materialized before the lockout. Per Andy Martino, in their discussions with Oakland, the Yankees declared two of their top prospects to be untouchable.

The A's were obviously interested in some of the Yankees' top farmhands, but Brian Cashman and Co. made clear they had a “strong unwillingness” to move either Anthony Volpe or Oswald Peraza in a deal with the Athletics.

The Yankees have long been searching for an experienced left-handed slugger to add to the mix in the Bronx, and Olson would perfectly fit the bill of the prototype they're after. Olson is a dominant power hitter, having launched 39 home runs in 2021, and is one of baseball's best defensive first baseman, already boasting two Gold Gloves just six seasons into his MLB career. Olson made his first-ever All-Star Game in 2021 and will be looking to build upon that in 2022, wherever he ends up playing.

The Yankees' unwillingness to trade Volpe and Peraza makes sense, as the two rank as the No. 1 and No. 3 prospects in New York's farm system, respectively. Volpe is ranked as the No. 15 prospect in all of baseball, while Peraza is touted as the No. 58 overall prospect. Both are shortstops who are expected to reach the Majors by 2023, and clearly, the Yanks think very highly of their pair of young studs.