Time For The Yankees To Sell…But There’s Not A Lot To Sell

Jul 6, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher David Robertson (30) pitches to the Minnesota Twins in the 9th inning at Target Field. The Yankees win 9-7. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

With the news on Masahiro Tanaka being out at least six weeks (and let’s be real, he’s getting Tommy John surgery eventually, don’t let the rehab fool you) it’s time for the Yankees to go into a mode of which they rarely do; sell. The problem is, is that there’s not a whole heck of a lot to sell.

You can tell me that it’s a weak division, but the way this team is playing, and with no real rotation to speak of, do you honestly think there’s hope of coming back and staying in contention right now? Fine, trade for Cole Hamels. Is that really going to make things better? I don’t think so.

It’s time to sell…except they don’t have a lot that other teams will want. There’s a lot of guys on long contracts (Jacoby Ellsbury, Mark Teixeira, Brian McCann) that no one is going to pick up the tab for. If a team needs a second baseman, I don’t think you’ll get much of anything for Brian Roberts or Kelly Johnson. Ichiro Suzuki won’t get you much.

Hiroki Kuroda has a full no trade clause. If the Dodgers came calling would he waive it? Maybe. Would a team in contention want Matt Thornton to be a LOOGY? Maybe, but that doesn’t net you a lot coming back.

The one guy they could get a lot for is David Robertson. Robertson is a free agent after the season, though a team like the Dodgers could use the bullpen help. Detroit could use him as their closer as could the Angels. Even Oakland could really go all in and add him to the bullpen to completely go for it.

With the majority of the Yankees prospects at the lower levels and the team becoming a MASH unit, it’s time to sell of what you can for spare parts and start thinking forward. The Yankees are a here and now organization. Except here and now isn’t exactly bright. It’s time to move on.