With a recent report stating that the New York Yankees are likely to trade their top guns, a lot remains to be accomplished in a short period of time.
It appears as if the wait is finally over. The New York Yankees have grasped reality and are reportedly ready to actively sell Carlos Beltran and Aroldis Chapman.
The only condition standing in their way was the continued deterioration of the roster and displacement from contention. Well, that has clearly steamrolled right ahead.
With two straight losses to the Boston Red Sox to begin a pivotal 10-game home stretch, the Yankees will need to go a combined 6-2 in their final eight games just to come out of it at square one (.500). That will be no easy task considering the two opponents — Baltimore Orioles (53-36) and San Francisco Giants (57-34) — they will be faced with.
As the mediocrity of the team has continually flared, it has become more apparent what the organization ultimately has to execute.
However, the front office has yet to move past the obvious. Sure, Andrew Miller can get you massive value from a contender. Sure, Beltran and Chapman will give you substantial return in their respective walk years.
Further thought needs to be put forth.
If the Yanks are going to effectively rebuild, other extremely marketable pieces are going to have to come off the books as well.
The left-fielder currently has reached a peak with regards to trade value in the Bronx. A .282 average over his last 30 games along with continued stellar play in the outfield makes him an attraction to any club in need of help in that area.
Leadoff capabilities, an ability to man both left and center extremely well, a plus-arm, and speed on the base paths play as factors that contribute to his well-rounded nature.
At 32 years of age, this is the potentially the final chance the Yankees will have to trade him before his production is no longer a staple.
This is no knock on McCann, but Gary Sanchez continues to wait down in Triple-A Scranton. He waits, produces, waits, and produces some more. The 23-year-old has still yet to receive a real opportunity at the big-league level.
Sure, the Yankee catcher brings along fire which meshes well with a winning pedigree combined with a clutch aspect to his game that cannot be denied. However, that is unfortunately not essential on a team looking one or two years down the road.
To his benefit, a contending team in need of a productive backstop will be dialing Brian Cashman in a heartbeat. It is the Yankees who need to pick this up and act fast.
A youngster with tremendous upside, yet consistent production cannot be associated with his name. The Pittsburgh Pirates have already shown interest in his services.
At 26-years-old with team control through the end of next year, teams in need of rotation help will show interest. Furthermore, with his recent experiences in the Yankee bullpen, a club can potentially acquire the right-hander only to utilize him as a flame-thrower at the tail end of games.
Potential is the name of the game when it comes to Eovaldi, and teams will roll the dice with the Yanks receiving mid-level value in return.
Another player in his walk year, the Yankees do not need Nova’s services and would certainly love to receive something rather than nothing.
Teams can go beyond his 5.18 ERA which only signifies a recent rough patch. He is a 29-year-old with versatility and a repertoire which can be dynamic at times.
In a thin starting pitching market, it will be the likes of Eovaldi and Nova who draw more attention than they truly deserve. While the organization is simply looking to push him out the door at this point, his stature can serve them extremely well when he brings back pieces of value.
If the Yankees can get an Ellsbury deal done, they will have won the jackpot. Granted, the 32-year-old has had a solid year, but from day one every outsider knew that the tail end of this ridiculous deal would be detrimental to the Yanks.
Right now is when the front office can use a solid year to their advantage. By agreeing to eat some of the yearly money owed to Ellsbury, they can potentially get a team to buy into a guy who can be a game-changing talent when healthy.
His abilities in center field and on the base paths go without saying, and sneaky power is a nice factor he has included in his game.
Removing him from the roster would not only relieve a major contractual burden, but it would open the door for flexibility in the outfield as the club moves towards an inevitable rebuild.
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.