As the New York Yankees motor along into the month of July, it becomes time for them to monitor suitable fits that may be an attraction come July 31.
With the major league baseball season moving into the month of July, trade rumors begin to float around. The dreaded question, “Buyers or sellers?” begins to surface, and inevitable speculation arises.The question of whether to buy or sell has been a focal point of the New York Yankees’ first half, particularly amongst fans. Currently sitting at 39-39, three games out of a wild card spot, a Yankee front office that rarely accepts defeat will certainly not be selling if the team’s standing approaching July 31 resembles anything close to now.
With that said, a .500 team through a great portion of the season definitely will use some improvement. To get over the hump and become a true contender for not only a postseason squeak-in, but a world series championship, the Yankees will have to be in the market for marginal improvements to the roster at the very least.
However, do not be surprised if the organization, two years away from an almost certain free-agent spending spree, goes out and makes a splash in order to go all out for championship number 28 in 2016.
Particular pieces are currently in place. The back end of the bullpen, if held intact, provides game shortening that will prove vital to the club down the stretch and in potential postseason scenarios.
The emergence of certain pieces of the starting pitching staff along with the veteran leadership and talent the lineup possesses can only bode well for the team in a stretch run.
Combine that with a couple of significant moves to improve areas of need and you have a team poised to make a push for the franchise’s 41st pennant. The leap into July will result in plenty of team officials and scouts beginning the process of honing in on key names and that might fit in nicely to the big scheme of things.
Let’s take a look at a few names that the Yankees might be slapping on their big board within the coming weeks.
Felix Hernandez (SEA)
The Yankees have been rumored to be interested in Hernandez’s services — like any team — for quite some time. A perennial Cy Young contender consistently putting up staggering numbers, he is one of the best of the game has to offer.
However, a calf injury derailed his first half, he has only made 10 starts, and the Mariners are quickly falling out of contention in the AL West. If there is anything that will lower his value the slightest bit from years prior, that would be it.
Not only does this move make sense for the Yanks for the second half of this year, but it makes sense moving forward as well. Signed to a lucrative deal through 2019 with a team option for 2020, he would fit into their plans for years to come.
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When the 2019 free agency pool hits, the Yankees would not have to shop pitching. They would have a Hernandez-Tanaka duo that many teams wish they had.
Although this move seems more far off and unlikely, with everything having to fall into place, you can bet Brian Cashman will give Jerry Dipoto more than one call.
Jay Bruce (CIN)
If the Yankees are buyers, this move makes complete and logical sense.
With the Reds far out of contention, they are destined to be sellers and the name Jay Bruce will be coming up extremely often in conversation.
The 29-year-old outfielder is having a bounce back campaign in the truest sense of the word. On pace to finish with 34 homers and 119 RBIs, he is one of the lone bright spots on an otherwise bad Reds team.
He will become even more attractive due to the fact that he has a club option for 2017, which makes him more than just a rental. If the Yankees were to send a few above average prospects packaged with, say, a Brett Gardner in Cincinnati’s direction, they would have a deal.
Not only would it improve their outfield greatly, but the team would gain a force in the middle of the lineup to complement Carlos Beltran. Bruce is in his prime yet has been in the league for eight years. He has experience in meaningful games.
Expect the Yankees to be in on him if they are in the market for a bat.
Matt Shoemaker (LAA)
Let’s face it. The Angels will sell what they can sell. 18.5 games off the pace in the AL West, they will be all ears for just about anything.
With that said, if the Yankees are not going to be quick to pull the trigger and recall Luis Severino, they are going to have to find a solution in the back-end of the rotation.
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Although Shoemaker is having a down year thus far, just two years ago he was a 16-game winner and possessed a 3.04 ERA. He is still only 29 and tops any talent the Yanks currently possess in the number 4 and 5 slots of their staff. Long story short: it would be an improvement.
Eligible for arbitration in 2017 and under team control through 2021, the Yankees can have a formidable number three or four starter for the next handful of years. The best part about it is that he will not cost much by any means.
Sonny Gray (OAK)
Another guy who is down but not out, Sonny Gray has tremendous upside that has already been put on display. He is an ace when on is game.
In 2014 and 2015, he racked up 427 innings combined for the As and won them 28 games. In addition, the right-hander pitched five complete games including four shutouts. Last year, he was an all-star and ranked third in AL Cy Young award voting.
If the Yankees had inquired about him each of the past two years, their entire farm system would have been the demand. If they make the call right now, maybe not so much.
Through 14 starts, he has pitched to a 5.03 ERA while only averaging 5 2/3 innings per start. It is simply a down year for Oakland’s ace.
With that said, his struggles are nothing Larry Rothschild cannot sort out. If the Yanks are able to steal him low, they can hope to catch lightning in a bottle for the remainder of 2016.
If not, he is a 26-year-old with team control until 2020. He will regain form, plain and simple.
Ryan Braun (MIL)
This is the big name that has been floating around in the minds of fans ever since he got off to a torrent start. The Brewers are not in contention, they will have no problem trading their star for the right price, and Braun is performing at his highest level since the steroid allegations that hampered his image.
Currently slashing a brilliant .325/.383/.556, the 32-year-old is also on pace to smash 27 homers drive in 91 runs on a subpar Milwaukee team.
While this may be a little steep for the Yanks considering the asking price, it is definitely worth a thought. It would also likely require a preceding move with Brett Gardner, as would any move for an outfielder.
With that being said, the Yankees can receive a pretty substantial return in a Gardner deal that can be directly allocated with other trade chips to acquire high-level, more consistent bats in Braun or Bruce.
Moreover, Braun would be under contract until 2020 and have a mutual option for 2021. If this more unlikely deal were to go through, the Yanks would be set in left field for years to come.
Emmanuel Berbari covers the New York Yankees for ESNY. Interact with him and view his daily work by “liking” his facebook page. He invites you to email your questions, comments, or concerns as well.
Or the yanks could just focus on getting younger. Bring up the young kids for next year, Bird, Judge Sanchez, and Mateo. Get the big contracts off and save your money for the 2019 free agent class.