Nationals Now Willing to Deal Giolito to Yankees for Miller

For Yankees fans hoping that the recent trade of Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs would draw to an end the constant Andrew Miller rumors, well, think again.

Call it desperation, call it due-diligence, call it a last-ditch effort. But it looks like the Washington Nationals have diverted from their course of declining to trade their top prospects, most notably right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito.

According to the MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Nationals are now indeed willing to deal the 6’6″, 22-year-old Giolito to the Yankees straight up for closer Andrew Miller.

With Jonathan Papelbon struggling mightily to close the door on potential wins, and the Miami Marlins only sitting five games back in the National League East, Nationals GM Mike Rizzo knows that acquiring the 2015 American League Reliever of the Year could go a long way towards a potential World Series run.

However, Yankees fans don’t want to deal Miller. I get that. He’s been fantastic ever since signing with the club in 2015 (45 total saves). But if the Nationals really want him, you–the Yankees, ought to get a bit greedy and ask for the inclusion of another one of the Nationals’ top young players.

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If the Nats say no, so be it, you keep Miller and are no worse off. If they say yes, you not only get Giolito–the NO. 4 overall prospect in all of baseball, but potentially pull the Nats’ NO. 2 prospect–SS/OF Trea Turner, NO. 4 prospect–pitcher Reynaldo Lopez, or NO. 5 prospect–pitcher Eric Fedde.

All of the aforementioned players are no older than 23 years of age and are big-league ready right now. So not only would the Yankees get younger in a hurry, they would also be able to deploy exciting big leaguers more than capable of competing at a high level immediately, instead of two or three years down the road. This is music to a true fans heart!

While the Nats may be remiss to deal away two super pieces from their stocked farm system, the fact remains that if they really want Miller, they will have to do whatever it takes to sweeten the pot.

Yes, the Pittsburgh Pirates could dangle Mark Melancon, while the Kansas City Royals have Wade Davis as an enticing piece. But neither of these two right-handers have the stuff that Miller possesses; a late inning dominance that left-handed batters cannot match.

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The Yankees hold all the cards right now, so make it worth their while, Washington. And while I’d rather not see Miller go, the idea of adding a top of the rotation arm–or two–or a five-tool infielder/outfielder surely sends my heart aflutter. This is how your rebuild an organization in a hurry.