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Yankees Rumors: No Trades On The Horizon Currently

By Kenneth Teape

Feb 23, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi (28) and general manager Brian Cashman (right) talk in the bullpen at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi (28) and general manager Brian Cashman (right) talk in the bullpen at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Yankees Rumors: While there have been some rumors about the Yankees potentially moving one of their relievers, the front office has decided it is too early to make a big move via trade.

New York Yankees rumors have picked up in recent days as there has been some talk about the availability of their bullpen arms. Andrew Miller has been garnering interest, and is someone that Buster Olney said could be moved at some point this summer. Earlier in the week, it was reported that the San Francisco Giants were purusing Miller to add to their own bullpen.

It makes sense for teams to call in on Miller, as he he has shown that he can excel in any role in the bullpen. He was outstanding in his first shot at closing games last season, and was strong this season filling in for Aroldis Chapman while he served a suspension to begin the season.

The dominance has continued in the eighth inning, where Miller pitches now as the set-up guy to Chapman. In addition to excellent performances on the field, Miller also has a team friendly contract. He is in the second year of the four year deal he signed with the Yankees as a free agent last season, and is owed only $9 million per season in the last two years of the deal.

That is not a tough number to swallow for someone that has shown he can be an elite arm out of the bullpen. But, it could be a couple of more weeks until we see Miller moved, if he is moved at all.

According to Jon Heyman of TodaysKnuckleBall.com, the time for the Yankees to make a move is not now. Heyman reported that the Yankees executives held a conference call and decided that it is too early to make a big move on the trade market. Heyman also notes that while a trade may not happen now, that does not mean that the Yankees front office won’t have a change of heart later in July when the trade deadline gets closer.

The Yankees will most likely be active as the trade deadline approaches, it will just be a matter of being buyers or sellers. It would be weird to many to see, but the Yankees are staring down a summer of selling.

They are not built to win, and making hasty moves trying to get back into a Wild Card game would make little sense. Expect the Yankees to begin fielding calls in the coming weeks, especially if they start to fall more under the .500 mark. It would take a very strong offer for the Yankees to move Miller as he is performing well and has a reasonable contract.

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More likely to move is current closer Chapman. Chapman is an impending free agent, and it makes little sense for the Yankees to keep him, as they have said they are looking forward to clearing cap space after this season, not adding it.

With a young power arm in Dellin Betances, who is not yet in his arbitration years, ready to take over the closer role if need be it makes sense for the Yankees to field offers on veterans Miller and Chapman.

While a trade isn’t immenint currently, it seems like a no brainer to move Chapman eventually. The Yankees would have to be blown away with an offer for Miller or Betances, but seeing them flip Chapman after acquiring him for four lower tiered prospect this offseason wouldn’t be a huge surprise.

The Yankees could also find interest on the trade market for someone like Carlos Beltran. The veteran outfielder has begun heating up at the plate, and trading him would open up more playing time for younger players such as Aaron Hicks or top prospect Aaron Judge.

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The Yankees have made it clear they want to clear cap space, so why not find playing time for their younger players to gain experience as well? It will be an interesting summer for the Yankees, as they are used to being buyers looking to add pieces for a postseason run. But, this time around, it looks like the Yankees will be sellers aiding someone else for a run to the playoffs.

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