Can the Yankees and Red Sox Link up in Rare Trade?

The ‘Evil Empire’ v. the ‘BoSox’.

The curse of the ‘Great Bambino.’

The 2004 ALCS.

The navy blue pinstripes and the beat red stockings.

The New York Yankees and their historical rival Boston Red Sox linking up in a significant trade.

Crazy? Impossible? Nonviable?

Right?

Not quite.

According to Brian McPherson of The Providence Journal, Red Sox GM Dave Dombrowski would actually be willing to deal with Brian Cashman and the New York Yankees should the right deal present itself.

"“I know (Red Sox-Yankees) is a bigger storied rivalry, but I have made trades within our own division,” Dombrowski said. “They’re usually fewer and farther between — and the only time I’ve generally done that is when one club is in it and the other club is not. In that way, if they get the best return on their value, they don’t really care. If they’re in it and we’re in it, probably the odds are longer.”"

With just five weeks remaining until the August 1st MLB Trade Deadline, two things are becoming more and more evident.

1. The New York Yankees probably won’t make playoffs unless they can somehow manage to squeak into the second AL wild card spot and
2. The Boston Red Sox are in dire need of an extra bullpen arm to compliment their closer Craig Kimbrel.

Should the Yankees continue to free-fall down the American League East standings, the window of opportunity to trade for one of Aroldis Chapman or ex-Red Sox reliever Andrew Miller might become Brian Cashman’s only chance to better the future of the New York Yankees.

Now despite Randy Levine’s best efforts, rumors have been rampant around the baseball world that the Yankees will break up their biggest asset – the power bullpen trio of Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman.

The Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants and as of earlier today, even the Miami Marlins have expressed interest in tapping into the Yankees bullpen, but if the Boston Red Sox and Dave Dombrowski can somehow manage to up the ante and offer the Yankees the best return on one of their relievers than any of the aforementioned teams, history might just be in the making.

So what might a potential deadline deal look like?

Let’s start with a package that centers around a blue-chip prospect like Rafael Devers, Andrew Benintendi, or Anderson Espinoza as well as major league-ready talent like Mookie Betts, Blake Swihart and Henry Owens.

Steep?

Absolutely.

But when you consider the return the Phillies scored for Ken Giles, Red Sox fans might see this particular deal as a bargain.

Obviously this is all just speculation on my part, and for a trade of this magnitude between such bitter rivals to be pulled off a lot of factors need to fall into place, but one thing is for certain – Brian Cashman and the Dave Dombrowski are no strangers to doing business together.