The New York Yankees have been stuttering a bit lately. After winning eight straight series’ for the first time in over 20 years, the team hasn’t won one since the beginning of the month. While the offense has struggled at times, the main reason for the recent slide has been because of pitching. Besides Domingo German, who was tied for the AL Lead with 9 wins before going down with an injury, the rest of the rotation has not been doing their job. They need another starter, preferably an elite one, if they plan to be playing baseball come late October.
4 Potential Pitching Trade Targets for the New York Yankees:
Max Scherzer
2019 Stats: 5-5, 2.81 ERA, 15 Starts, 99.1 IP, 1.08 WHIP
Why Scherzer?
Assuming that the Nationals put the 3x Cy Young Winner on the trade block, he will be the best pitcher available on the market. Even at age 34, the former 11th overall pick has shown little sign of slowing down. Scherzer has had an ERA below 3.00 every year since 2015, the only pitcher in baseball to achieve the feat. Simply put, “Mad Maxâ€, if available, will be the best pitcher available in years.
What it Would Cost
Besides the financial part of it (Scherzer is due over 30 million each year through 2021), the Yankees would have to give up a lot of young talent. If Scherzer does become available, it signifies a complete rebuild in Washington. A possible trade that would be enticing for Washington could be: OF Clint Frazier, RHP Domingo German, INF Thairo Estrada, OF Estevan Florial, another young pitcher, and taking on most of Scherzer’s contract.
Madison Bumgarner:
2019 Stats: 3-6, 3.87 ERA, 15 Starts, 93.0 IP, 1.17 WHIP
Why Bumgarner?
His playoff experience and success is what will make most teams call the Giants about Bumgarner. In 14 career playoff starts, “Madbum†has posted a 2.11 ERA over the course of 102.1 IP. Even more impressively, in the World Series, he is 4-0 in his career with a 0.45 ERA in 36.0 IP. The guy has given up just ONE run in the World Series. If you are a team that plans to be playing in October, you want him on your team; or more importantly, you don’t want him on the team you’re playing.
What it Would Cost
Bumgarner is one of the best pitchers that will be on the trade market this summer. It is not often that a team ships off one of the best postseason pitchers of all-time. The Giants would not get as much with Bumgarner as the Nationals would with Scherzer, but they would still get a major haul. A possible trade package could include: OF Clint Frazier, OF Estevan Florial, RHP Jonathan Loasiaga, and another young pitcher.
Trevor Bauer:
2019 Stats: 5-6, 3.41 ERA, 16 Starts, 108.1 IP, 1.12 WHIP
Why Bauer?
With Cleveland likely going to be out of the playoffs this season, they can look ahead to the future. While they won’t let go of ace Corey Kluber, there have been many talks of them putting the 28-year-old Bauer on the trade block. While he isn’t quite in the Scherzer elite class, he is a more than capable starter. Last year, Bauer posted a 2.21 ERA in 27 starts, second only to Cy Young winner Blake Snell. He would be a great addition to a rotation that has struggled for the majority of the season.
What it Would Cost
As you’ve noticed by now, the most likely Yankee to be traded for a pitcher this summer is Clint Frazier. That trend continues as he would be the centerpiece of a trade that would send him back to the team that drafted him fifth overall in 2013. Along with Frazier, other players that could be included in a deal to bring Bauer to the Bronx include: RHP Jonathan Loasiaga and OF Estevan Florial.
Marcus Stroman:
2019 Stats: 4-8, 3.18 ERA, 15 Starts, 87.2 IP, 1.31 WHIP
Why Stroman?
Stroman has been in talks with the Blue Jays about a new contract for multiple months now, and no progress has been made. With a new deal not in sight, it is very likely Toronto will look to trade the star pitcher. Stroman, a Gold-Glove winner in 2017, has gotten back on track after a poor season in 2018. He has put himself back in the category of the best pitchers in the game.
What it Would Cost
Of the names mentioned above, Stroman would be the cheapest. Like every other trade scenario that involves the Yankees this summer, Frazier would headline it. The only negative of acquiring Stroman is that the team would most likely have to work out a new contract for the 28-year-old. A trade that could happen for Stroman includes: OF Clint Frazier, INF Thairo Estrada, and young pitching.