New York Yankees Setting High Price for Carlos Beltran

According to rival executives, the New York Yankees are listening to offers on Carlos Beltran, but have set the price for the 39-year-old slugger very high.

Update: In addition to the Indians and Rangers, the Astros and Red Sox have talked to the Yankees about a possible Beltran deal according to Buster Olney of ESPN.

The long-awaited New York Yankees firesale is apparently in full swing. Their recent three game losing streak in the lead up to the August 1st trade deadline may have finally done the trick and convinced ownership to abandon ship in 2016.

After dealing relievers Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller, the Yankees have reportedly focused on trading starting pitcher Ivan Nova and 39-year old outfielder Carlos Beltran, both of whom will be free agents after the season and are not expected to be retained.

However, Buster Olney of ESPN is hearing from MLB sources that the Yankees are asking much more for Beltran than most clubs are comfortable paying.

While Beltran has been among the American League’s most productive sluggers in the first half of 2016, his abysmal defense in right field more or less limits his market to clubs looking for help at designated hitter. In addition, with only two months of control remaining, he is a pure rental.

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If the Yankees are hoping to land premium talent in return for Beltran, they will probably be sorely disappointed. If there weren’t enough obstacles, the veteran has a limited no-trade clause and can block deals to 15 different clubs.

Two teams that have long been seen as the best fits for a Beltran trade have since fallen out of the race. Kansas City and Chicago both need DH help, but have since decided to sell themselves.

The Rangers and Indians have both been linked to Beltran after the past week. After losing Prince Fielder to season-ending neck surgery, Beltran would provide the team with a proven DH replacement. On the other hand, Texas has both Joey Gallo and Jurickson Profar ready to step into every day roles with the team.

It’s not clear that Beltran would even be an upgrade there, especially if the Yankees asking price is too high for their liking. The Houston Astros are the only other AL club who seem like a fit, but there have been no rumors to indicate they have interest.

At this point, trading Carlos Beltran to a National League contender seems like a real stretch. He’s not much better than replacement level when asked to play the field every day, and there would be increased injury risk if he couldn’t have at least periodic time at DH.

Next: Yankees Trade Andrew Miller to the Indians for Four Prospects

If the Yankees are going to hang onto any of their impending free agents, it seems like Carlos Beltran might be the best candidate. To be clear, he should be moved given the direction of the team. But if New York feels like they can’t get much for him, they can cross their fingers and hope their one-man offense keeps them on the fringes of the Wild Card race going into September.