Yankees Rumors: David Phelps back to the Bronx?

It appears the Yankees are taking a page out of the Knicks’ playbook and looking to acquire players they already once had. This time it’s relief pitcher David Phelps who has since blossomed into a stellar middle relief option for the Marlins.

If the Yankees are genuinely interested in acquiring Phelps, whom they actually traded to the Marlins in 2014 as part of the Nathan Eovaldi deal, they’ll need to act quickly, as both the Red Sox and Nationals are said to be hot on the heels of the 30-year-old right-hander.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Marlins are concentrating on moving Phelps and fellow relief pitcher AJ Ramos before they reach free agency following the 2018 season.

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"“The Yankees are among many contenders who have contacted the Marlins about relievers David Phelps and AJ Ramos, said Sherman.”Phelps and Ramos are the most likely pieces to move. The Marlins have canvassed 20 farm systems, with the Yankees, Nationals, Rangers, Red Sox, Indians and Rays among those who have checked in.”"

For the better part of three years, Phelps bounced back and forth from the Yankees bullpen to the starting rotation (40 starts total). In 299.1 innings pitched, Phelps compiled a 15-14 record, 4.21 ERA, 1.346 WHIP and 267:119 K:BB ratio.

With the Marlins in 2016, Phelps found his niche out of the ‘pen, going 7-6 with a 2.28 ERA, 1.142 WHIP and 11.9 K/9 in 86.2 innings pitched.

This season, the former 14th round draft pick got off to a bit of a rocky start but seems to have righted the ship over his past 32 appearances — holding hitters to a 2.18 ERA and .548 OPS.

Entering his final year of arbitration, Phelps will need to continue his solid run if he wishes to capitalize on the $4.6 million he’s making this season.

The Yankees have been linked with a number of relief pitchers as of late, most notably Brad Hand of the Padres, and Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson of the A’s.

Similarly, a number of potential first base options are rumored to be headed to the Yanks, including Marlins slugger Justin Bour, A’s reclamation project Yonder Alonso and often injured Mets left-handed hitter Lucas Duda.

Whether or not general manager Brian Cashman pulls the trigger on a deal to solidify a playoff run remains to be seen, especially when his ball club has lost 18 out of its last 25 games.

So as we count down the days until the July 31 trade deadline, take solace in knowing that two of the Bombers’ brightest are on display in tonight’s Home Run Derby — Gary Sanchez and Aaron Judge.

Next: Yanks zeroing in on Padres relief pitcher

Interestingly enough, Judge’s first round opponent in the Derby is Bour.