Yankees potential trades with Pirates and Diamondbacks take shape

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has made the team more powerful heading into the 2018 season. Now, with trades for two starting pitchers on the horizon, he looks to make it a monster.

Aside from re-signing CC Sabathia on Saturday, the Yankees have been silent the last few days. Meanwhile, the trade market has been acting like a boiling pot with a lid on it. These things can’t be coincidental. No, it’s a time of signs and portends; time to stand with the three weird sisters and gaze into their cauldron.

Something is once again holding up free agency. The Boston Red Sox are desperate for a big bat. Meanwhile, J.D. Martinez, the biggest remaining bopper, is available and already met with them, and several other teams. Those offers are unlikely to change.

Yet, he hasn’t signed. Meanwhile, The Arizona Diamondbacks have skipped Christmas and moved right on to Valentine’s Day: They are in love with Mr. Martinez. And it is not unrequited. These two entities desire a reunion.

The problem in this polyamorous relationship is money. Martinez is likely to give the D’Backs a discount, but that still puts him at around at least four years and $75 million, with a player option. But blood is easier to find in the desert than money.

It just so happens that for some odd reason, Arizona seems to think it is a good idea to swap out starting pitcher Zack Greinke for Martinez; to each their own. Greinke has a monster contract with four years and $127 million owed to him. It would take a miracle to move him. Yet, both Martinez and the D’Backs seem to be waiting for just such a seasonal event.

This is especially true now that steam is starting to escape the pot.

A power is rising in the west

The Angels are building a super team of their own and just signed SS Zack Cozart. Meanwhile, the Phillies just signed the third-best free agent power bat, Carlos Santana. That only leaves power hitter Martinez and better all-around hitter Eric Hosmer.

The pressure to sign and be signed is starting to build. And losing out completely might be a 2018 death sentence for some clubs.

So, why is Arizona waiting to make some of their easier moves, like trading Brandon Drury and/or Patrick Corbin? Many teams can afford the prospects and money these deals require.

And why hasn’t Martinez signed with a team already? Remember he made a point of going to the Winter Meetings; that seemed to suggest some urgency.

He waits because the Diamondbacks are actively trying to move Greinke, meaning the Sox wait, too. The MLB Network reported that several teams have already made offers. Any search on that site for, “Greinke”, will make true the assertion.

And all of those offers include Arizona taking back a big contract in return. The message is clear that teams are willing to take on some but not all of Zack’s big deal.

That is exactly in-line with the Yankee’ wishes.

Oh, ho yes!

First, they have set aside the idea of a mega-deal that would bring Greinke, Corbin and Drury to the Bronx. That would add too much payroll. Especially because Cashman is smart enough to keep a few million for help at the trade deadline.

And Arizona is not that interested in prospects. They saw how a dynamic offensive player can carry a team and inspire a community; they want money for Martinez. Yes, they want one or two choice prospects, but the return Miami got for Ozuna would not be required.

That means the Yankees need to get a starting pitcher for no money to save for this deal. Fortunately, the Stanton trade is the gift that keeps on giving: It made Clint Frazier superfluous. That’s especially true as the far superior Estevan Florial will be ready when Aaron Hicks departs in two years.

Enter starting pitcher Gerrit Cole and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cole is on the move and the Pirates want prospects, especially as they assume current outfielder Andrew McCutcheon will be gone after the 2018 season. That makes acquiring Frazier an ideal solution.

But whereas the two teams might have swapped them almost straight up, now the Yankees are asking the Pirates to pay Cole’s small salary. The Pirates seem amenable but of course, want more prospect compensation. With every tick of the clock and free agent signing, the Pirates hold a better hand.

That seems to be where the two teams are right now. Ostensibly, everything else will shake out after that.

Can I get just one of these contracts in my stocking?

If the Yankees can make this deal soon, they can then pivot to the Diamondbacks. At a minimum, they will have to take on all of Greinke’s contract. This they would want to partially off-set by having Arizona take Jake’s deal. And that would have a huge impact on Arizona.

Ellsbury has three years left, Greinke four. So, the swap would not only result in Arizona saving $10 to 12 million a year for the next three years, but also saving $35 million in the final year. That’s a grand total of at least $65-70 million in savings over their next four years. That sounds like a J.D. Martinez contract.

The Yankees would be similarly rewarded. Jake is being paid more than $20 million a year to sit on the bench. The Yanks are far better off paying Greinke more than $30 million a year to be a frontline starter instead.

Sometimes you have to sink more into an investment in order to get a return. It’s not ideal, but the Yankees have to turn Ellsbury’s money into production on the field.

The players might also enjoy the trade. Ellsbury is playing hardball by announcing in the press how much he loves New York. Arizona, however, might be an acceptable landing spot. Ells, like my wife, is Navajo. And while Phoenix is not exactly the heart of Navajo Nation, it’s a lot closer than the Bronx. And a short drive to the reservation in New Mexico.

I can’t imagine any fan base feeling more affection for the oft-injured, under-performing player.

Miracle on 161’st Street

Greinke might be another matter. He is said to disdain the big cities. And he has some no-trade power. That is the real sticking point and might make a team like the Rangers more likely to acquire him. But it is difficult to know how deeply felt his convictions.

After all, he played in Los Angeles and never went full Ricky Williams. The Yankees seem to view it as a concern, not a deal breaker. Besides, anyone, that sensitive must want to leave a place he is no longer wanted. And New York can be tough, but it also shows the most love to its players.

If Greinke is amenable, the Yanks could afford to swap contracts, take Drury, and kick in a few million more to sweeten the pot. One insider estimates the Yankees could go as high as $18 million for the two, $10 million for the difference in the two big contracts plus four or five more of Ellsbury’s.

Which also means the Yankees would still have top prospects in the system.

That seems to be where we stand. The first domino for the Yankees is Cole. That deal should get done soon. Cash is getting more anxious by the moment, though, as he cannot present a serious offer for Greinke until he knows he has a free pitcher.

Arizona, meanwhile, wants to see if the Yanks have more money to give, but know that J.D. can’t wait forever.

So, if the Rangers don’t trade for Greinke, Cashman will. If that is off the table, the Yankees will use more of their farm system to get either Corbin or one of the other remaining arms.

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Obviously, that would be a last resort as the combination of Ellsbury’s full contract and a top starting pitcher is less than optimum. But, needs must as the devil drives.

And it’s all happening soon, probably before Christmas. If the Yankees get everything they wish for, it might mean Greinke and Cole arrive, while Ellsbury leaves. Plus, the Red Sox would lose out on adding the impact power bat they desperately need.

Wow, that really would be a Brian Cashman Christmas miracle.