Yankees Rumors: Reynaldo Lopez A Trade Target

By Kenneth Teape | Jul 21, 2016

Jul 19, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez (49) throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Yankees Rumors: If the Yankees make a trade with the Washington Nationals, prospect Reynaldo Lopez could be the centerpiece of a returning package.

New York Yankees rumors continue to pop up despite the team currently riding a three-game winning streak. Conventional wisdom is that they will still be sellers at the MLB Trade Deadline, as their outlook is still rather bleak for this season despite the recent string of success.

One of the teams that have been connected to the Yankees in trade rumors is the Washington Nationals. The Nationals could use some help in their bullpen, and the Yankees have the two best trade chips reportedly available on the market in left-handed pitchers Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman.

Both players should bring back a solid haul for the Yankees despite the differences in contracts; Miller is under team control for two more seasons, while Chapman will becoming a free agent at the end of the season.

While there will be plenty of suitors for both Miller and Chapman, the Nationals are atop the list of possible landing spots along with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs. The Indians reportedly covet Miller, as he is rumored to be their top target at the deadline as their bullpen is in desperate need of a left-handed option.

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No players had been discussed yet that could be going to the Yankees from the Indians, but there has been some names discussed from the Cubs. General manager Brian Cashman is high on injured power hitter Kyle Schwarber, and ESPN’s Adam Marchand believed the Yankees could target minor league first baseman Dan Vogelbach.

Schwarber is reportedly off limits, and Vogelbach was traded to the Seattle Mariners in a deal for Mike Montgomery, so their need for a late inning arm may not longer be as pressing. If the Yankees are going to make a deal with the Cubs, they will have to go back to the drawing board.

That leaves us with the Nationals. It is no secret they want to add to their bullpen, and the Yankees have the ability to do that. But what would the Yankees be looking for in return?

According to George King III of the New York Post, the Yankees could target starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez. Lopez would fit the mold of the controllable, high upside starter that the Yankees have been shopping for, as he is not only one of the Nationals top pitching prospects, but prospects overall.

Adding fuel to this fire is the fact that Yankees vice president of baseball operations, Tim Naehring, was present at Nationals Park on Tuesday when Lopez made his major league debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers. King III reports that he was watching other players as well, but Lopez was probably the king jewel.

While the 22-year old Lopez struggled in his major league debut, taking the loss while allowing six runs on 10 hits and one walk in 4 1/3 innings, he showcased some of his raw talent as well. Lopez would strike out nine Dodgers in his debut, which is in line with his minor league stats this season; Lopez has 108 strikeouts between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse in 87 1/3 innings.

While some people forecast Lopez as a reliever down the road, he has the tools to be a good starting pitcher with a little training. He has a fastball that sits in mid-90’s, but can touch triple digits, combine with a power curveball. If he can get his mechanics down consistently, it would also improve his chances of becoming a successful starting pitcher at the major league level.

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But, would the Nationals part with someone such as Lopez for a rental such as Chapman? While it seems like a steep price, the answer would be yes. While Lopez has a high ceiling, the Nationals have a plethora of other pitching prospects waiting in the wings in Lucas Giolito, Erick Fedde, A.J. Cole and Austin Voth, who are all also ranked in the top-10 for Nationals prospects.

ESPN’s Buster Olney says that the Yankees are going “full bore” in their efforts to put together deals for Chapman and other veterans. It would not be a surprise if Lopez is in their plans with the Nationals if they are a team they choose to do a deal with.

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