The New York Yankees are in dire need of starting pitching support, which is why they went out and traded for first-baseman Edwin Encarnacion…joking. The need still remains but adding the American League leader in home runs (21) helps bolster the batting order and adds more firepower to a team that’s clearly focusing in power-hitting.
Additionally, plucking a known Yankee killer out of the AL certainly helps. You know what they say if you can’t beat em, buy em. The Yankees often take that quote to the bank…pun intended – they call me butter, cause I’m on a roll.
Anyway, back to the pitching rotation. Rumors have indicated that the Bombers might be interested in Nationals star pitcher, Max Scherzer. The reality of bringing him to the Bronx is next to none, why? Because his price tag would cost general manager Brian Cashman a large fortune.
A deal involving the New York Yankees and Scherzer would be of astronomical proportions:
“If you want to convince the Nationals to trade Max Scherzer you call up Mike Rizzo and offer Gleyber Torres, Clint Frazier, Estevan Florial, Thairo Estrada, and Albert Abreu, then you might be able to get the conversation started†Jim Bowden on MLB Network Radio
Trading away a team building block isn’t suggested regardless of the assets willing to be exchanged. If the deal would start with Gleyber Torres, it’s not even worth considering.
Torres is a foundational player that will be a significant part of the infield for years to come – he’s untradable. The Yankees need to find a trade partner willing to take on Clint Frazier and minor league prospects. Cameron Maybin holds average value considering his career .255 batting average. He’s having an above-average year with the Yanks, which seems to be a trend if you look at the minimal talent shining beyond our wildest dreams see Gio Urshela for more justification.
Cashman is better off looking elsewhere for pitching support, simply because at some point they will gain back Luis Severino and the starters will be healthy. It’s just a matter of waiting out the injury bug. There should be a short list of players that are considered trade bait, and Frazier should be at the top of it.