With the Red Bulls in need of defensive help, youth and cost-effective players, they’re hoping Andrew Jean-Baptiste checks off all three boxes.

According to a source close to the player, the Brooklyn-born Brentwood High School grad is on the verge of a homecoming deal with the Red Bulls. The 22-year-old former UConn centerback had an up-and-down season with Chivas USA last year, but has potential, athleticism and would be a savvy pickup.

Jean-Baptiste played for the US Under-18 team and was a member of the U-20 National Pool in 2010, the same year he played for the Red Bulls’ Under-23 team. But he’s another in a line of potential homegrown products who got away from the Red Bulls, taken No. 8 overall in the 2012 draft by Portland.

Breaking into the Timbers’ lineup in his second season (22 starts, 26 appearances), Jean-Baptiste was ranked 16th in MLSsoccer.com’s “24 Under 24” prospect list. After he was traded to Chivas USA, he backslid somewhat.

The Red Bulls’ offseason roster churn is in full gear, with coach Jesse Marsch reportedly trying to reacquire his former midfielder Felipe Martins.

The 24-year-old Martins has started for Montreal in all three of his MLS seasons, but his best campaign came in his one year under Marsch, notching four goals and a team-high 10 assists in his 2012 debut.

According to Empire of Soccer, Marsch wants to bring Martins to New York, and Soccer By Ives reports the deal could cost the Red Bulls Ambroise Oyongo but include the top pick in the MLS allocation order.

Oyongo, a speedy 23-year-old who was a backup at left back and left midfield last year, scored his first international goal for Cameroon on Tuesday.

Martins was ranked the fifth-best young prospect in MLS’ 24 Under 24 list during that lone season under Marsch, and 13th the next season.

Martins logged a dozen goals and 24 assists in his three Montreal seasons, but saw his assists total decrease in each one. With Martins, a native of Brazil, due a $160,000 base salary and with the Impact seemingly set on using Argentine Ignacio Piatti as their creative force, the Red Bulls are in position to reunite Martins with the coach who got the best out of him.

Should the Red Bulls pull off a deal for Martins and get the No. 1 spot in return, it would allow them to have their pick of returning US National Team players.

Besides concerns about Jozy Altidore’s salary demands, the Red Bulls would have needed to move up in the allocation order to get the striker, who eventually went to Toronto. They’re also pursuing US national team midfielder Sacha Kljestan, but sit just 14th in the order, a problem since the Galaxy also want the former Seton Hall man and dealt Marcelo Sarvas to move up to third.

The Red Bulls have added goalkeeper Kyle Reynish to back up starter Luis Robles.

An official announcement of a Red Bulls affiliate in the new USL Pro division is expected shortly.

Pursuit of Sacha Kljestan has slowed down, not because the Red Bulls don’t want the 29-year-old US National Team midfielder, but because his club Anderlecht now wants to hold onto him through the rest of the Belgian Pro League season.