The New York Yankees are a fun topic again because of Aaron Judge. All that fun goes out the window though if the Bronx Bombers aren’t able to make the postseason. They can slug their way to victories right now, but come October that will be an increasingly tough proposition. Brian Cashman fired his first shot last night in the acquisition of David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle, as well as third baseman Todd Frazier, to strengthen the bullpen at a reasonable cost. Now the Yank’s GM must turn his attention to the starting pitching staff where they have a bit of a crisis. Here are some names who could help stop the madness from spiraling.
SONNY GRAY (OAKLAND ATHLETICS)
I might as well start off with the most bantered about name, Oakland’s Sonny Gray. Gray is by far the most discussed pitching asset on the market at the moment. The A’s season is all but over and their yearly farm system re-stock is already underway. Gray is an up and down pitcher, so Oakland would be best suited to trade him during an up period. He is currently in one of those with four straight quality starts. He’s shaved over a run off his ERA during that time after a late start to his season. His strikeouts are up and his walks are down from an abysmal 2016 and his velocity has stayed consistent. He isn’t eligible for free agency until 2020, so that will raise Oakland’s asking price a bit more than what the Yankees had to give the White Sox for their bullpen duo.
YU DARVISH (TEXAS RANGERS)
I don’t want to spoil the rest of the article, but this isn’t the last AL West guy you are going to see. The Astros have sealed up the division, leaving the rest of the teams under .500 and wondering whether a Wild Card run is feasible or if selling is the more prudent option. The Rangers may not be ready to raise the white flag just yet, but as the deadline approaches their standing could plummet even more. If they start to unload pitching, Yu Darvish is the first name clubs will ask about. He’s in the final year of his deal, so he won’t cost you an arm and a leg as a rental. The four-time All-Star’s strikeout rate is way down, but he would still immediately replace Masahiro Tanaka as the staff’s de facto ace if he does re-ups at season’s end.
YOVANI GALLARDO (SEATTLE MARINERS)
This is more of a flyer than anything, but it is one that will cost the Yankees virtually nothing. Like the two teams above, the Mariners are looking towards next season. Even in second place, I can’t foresee this Mariners team making a run. They struggle to score and their starting pitching has been a mess. They’ve started to see what they have on the farm, which makes a guy like Yovani Gallardo expendable. He’s already been moved to long relief, a move that has allowed him to regain some form (1.08 ERA, 0.84 WHIP in July). Those extra innings could help a team that trades for him. He has postseason experience as well, going 2-2 with a 2.32 ERA between Milwaukee and Texas in his playoff career. The Yankees have struck gold with pitching on the cheap in the past, it can’t hurt to try again.
JASON VARGAS (KANSAS CITY ROYALS)
Yes, I know I already jinxed Jason Vargas, but hear me out. He’s a free agent at the end of the season and he’s 34. Vargas still sports a 3.06 ERA and has won over 25% of Kansas City’s victories in 2017. He isn’t going to wow you with his stuff, but he gets out consistently. Maybe a pennant chase and/or a change of scenery helps get him back on track. Outside of Gallardo, Vargas is the name on this list that will more than likely cost Brian Cashman no more than a few fringe pitching prospects.
Who do you think the Yankees will swoop for at the trade deadline? How much pitching do they need, both starting and relief? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter @sportsftb and myself @TREVORutley.