The MLB trade deadline on August 1st is rapidly approaching, and the trade rumors around the New York Yankees are starting to heat up. The Yankees are 46-46, but are just a few games back of a Wild Card berth. The Yankees seem to be leaning towards being sellers at the deadline, although the front office hasn't made that decision yet. With that in mind, here all the latest Yankees trade rumors you need to know.
Yankees going after Puig?
The Dodgers have made it known that outfielder Yasiel Puig is available for a trade before the deadline, and while there has been some interest in him from other teams, Los Angeles hasn't had serious talks with anyone about Puig. New York is one team that could, and NJ.com's Joe Giglio says the Yankees could sell those pieces for a proven player like Puig:
Instead of swapping Aroldis Chapman (who the Dodgers originally traded for before backing out in the offseason) or Andrew Miller for prospects, what about the idea of a package that includes Puig? A one-for-one swap with Chapman could have merit. For Miller, Puig would likely have to be a piece of the puzzle.
Plus, Puig's below-market contract pays him less than $18 million over the next two seasons. Potentially, the Yankees could land an everyday star on a team-friendly deal for the price of a relief pitcher.
Last offseason, the Yankees bought low on second baseman Starlin Castro—a player that came with similar concerns about plate discipline and declining numbers after an amazing career start. If the trade deadline isn't just about prospect return, taking a flier on Puig should be an option that's considered in the Bronx.
Puig is batting .257 with seven homers and 31 RBIs in 75 games this season.
Cubs won't trade Schwarber to Yankees
Many teams - particularly the Yankees - have been trying to pry Kyle Schwarber away from the Chicago Cubs despite Schwarber's knee injury. However, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports, the Cubs are not going to trade the slugger:
Seeing as the Cubs remain favorites to win the World Series even without Schwarber, the question of his dispensability has arisen, particularly seeing as the Cubs need relief pitching and the Yankees have Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman. Miller, in particular, is desirable because of his ability to pitch in a setup role and close, plus his reasonable deal that goes through the 2018 season. Chapman would be a rental, and one with baggage from a domestic incident that led to a month-long suspension.
The Cubs, it should be said, do not want to trade Schwarber. The likelihood of them doing it is small enough that even addressing it is probably a time-waster. But the question was posed to a dozen people in the game in recent weeks: Why would the Cubs ever trade a bat like Schwarber’s for a relief pitcher? And only one answer seemed satisfactory.
It has nothing to do with production and everything to do with opportunity. If the Cubs were to add Miller, he solidifies their chance to win the World Series this year, and a World Series to the Cubs, the theory went, is worth a billion dollars. Billion, as in with a B.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has reportedly put Schwarber at the top of his wishlist, and is dangling both Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman in front of the Cubs. However, Chicago has remained steadfast in their desire to keep Schwarber.
Marlins interested in Pineda
The Yankees have thrown around the idea of dealing Michael Pineda before the deadline, and the Marlins are hoping to take advantage, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi:
#Marlins working to add starter, sources say. Hellickson, Cashner, Pineda on their list. #Yankees not ready to move Pineda yet. @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 19, 2016
Though New York is hesitant to move Pineda, they may be more willing to if the Marlins sweeten their offer - or if the Yankees go on a big losing streak over the next few weeks.
Pineda is 3-9 with a 5.56 ERA in 18 starts this season.
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