Report: Ivan Nova will Definitely Be Moved Before Deadline

According to rival executives, the New York Yankees have made it known they will move starting pitcher Ivan Nova before the trade deadline regardless of their place in the standings.

After dealing closer Aroldis Chapman for a four player package on Monday, the New York Yankees have put the word out that their next priority is finding a taker for fifth starter Ivan Nova before the August 1st deadline.

The first suitor to make their interest known was the Miami Marlins, who were also rumored to be discussing the 29-year-old righthander with the Yankees last winter. The Fish have also inquired about fellow Yankees starter Michael Pineda.

The surprising Marlins find themselves with a slim lead for the second Wild Card spot in the National League, but the club’s pitching depth is extremely thin behind Jose Fernandez and Adam Conley.

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The Texas Rangers have also been connected to Nova (as well as CC Sabathia and Nathan Eovaldi) in recent weeks, although they did recently shore up their rotation by acquiring Lucas Harrell from the Braves.

The Yankees continue to vacillate about selling at the deadline because of their recent hot streak, but Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that Nova is a goner by Monday regardless of the organization’s other plans.

There is no chance the team extends a qualifying offer to Nova regardless of how he pitches down the stretch, so this is their only chance to receive something in return for him before he departs as a free agent.

It sounds like the Yankees have set their initial asking price pretty high despite Nova’s mixed results the last two years. That makes sense given the shortage of quality starting pitching available. We all saw the massive contracts even fringe starters were landing this winter. Things are even more desperate in July as team’s attempt to apply band aids to their playoff hopes.

Nova is certainly helping the Yankees’ bargaining position with a very strong month of July. In his last four starts, he has a 2.66 ERA and is striking out 9.13 per nine innings while walking just 2.28 per nine. The home runs are still an issue, but moving out of the league’s most homer friendly ballpark can only help.

Many have speculated that the promotion of Luis Severino back to the Bronx was in preparation for easing the 22-year-old back into a rotation job when the team does trade Nova. If that’s the case, then the team must have been encouraged by Severino’s first taste of big league action in over two months.

Next: Should the Yankees Make a Play for Chris Sale?

Severino pitched two strong, scoreless innings of relief during Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to the Houston Astros. He held the ‘Stros hitless, striking out three batters and walking one.