With just a few days for the MLB Trade Deadline, the New York Yankees are active in their efforts to pull off another trade. They already netted Todd Frazier, David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle from the Chicago White Sox earlier this month. However, they are still actively exploring several other moves, particularly ones that could land them a top-tier starting pitcher. Here are three possible trades the Yankees could make before the trade deadline.
3. Another Bullpen Arm
It sounds crazy to me too, since the Yankees already added Robertson and Kahnle. But the Detroit Free Press reports the Yankees have interest in Justin Wilson of the Detroit Tigers. Wilson has been sharp this year, with a 2.75 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 55 strikeouts. He's also posted 12 saves. But the Tigers' asking price is likely far too much for the Yankees. The Tigers are reportedly asking for a return similar to what the Yankees landed when they dealt away Aroldis Chapman.
Wilson has been good this year, but the Yankees don't need another reliever enough to pay that price. If it drops, perhaps that changes. But for now, it's unlikely. The Dodgers and Astros are more realistic landing spots for Wilson.
2. A Non-Athletics Starting Pitcher Or 1B
The Yankees top need right now is a starting pitcher. Michael Pineda done for the year and then some, Jordan Montgomery has hit a rough patch and Masahiro Tanaka is having a down year. It's a down pitching market, but the Yankees could look to pull off a move to land a starter not named Sonny Gray (more on him below). The Yankees reached out about Yu Darvish, even though he isn't a controllable pitcher. Their are other options, but they aren't super appealing. Jeff Samardzija and Justin Verlander aren't cheap and aren't pitching at their highest level. Dan Straily is only just now being shopped by the Marlins, but his cheap and controllable contract means the Marlins might ask too much. Francisco Liriano is cheaper than Samardzija, but Liriano has not fared well.
At first base, the options are limited now with Lucas Duda dealt to the Rays and Justin Bour of the Marlins on the DL. The Braves don't seem to want to move Matt Adams, which means the Yankees' options might be limited to an Athletics player. It's a bad pitching and 1B market, which limits the Yankees feasible options. That's why the next option has been so heavily rumored.
Connect With Chat Sports:
Chat Sports on About.Me
Chat Sports Tumblr
Follow Chat Sports on Instagram
1. Blockbuster Deal With The Athletics
The Yankees have been heavily linked to a deal with the Oakland Athletics that would center on SP Sonny Gray and 1B Yonder Alonso. The Yankees want controllable starting pitching and Gray is the best one on the market, better than the other options mentioned above. He won't be a free agent until after the 2019 season. Gray is 6-5 with a 3.43 ERA, a 1.175 WHIP and 94 strikeouts in 16 starts this season. Alonso, fresh off an All-Star game berth, gives the Yankees a much better option at first base. Just a rental, he's a huge upgrade over the platoon of Chase Headley and Garrett Cooper (Greg Bird is still hurt). Alonso is hitting .267 with 21 home runs and 45 RBIs in 92 games this year. This is the most aggressive move the Yankees could still make this deadline. It would also cost them one of their better prospects, likely an outfielder.
Check out our New York Yankees team page for all the latest Yankees rumors or download the Chat Sports App!
Back to the New York Yankees Newsfeed