Yankees Rumors: Could Carlos Martinez be a potential trade option?

The trade market for starting pitching still looks very weak leading up to the July 31st deadline but that could change if Cardinals RHP Carlos Martinez becomes available in the coming days. If he lands on the trading block it’s likely the Yankees would have interest in acquiring him to boost their starting staff.

As the Yankees get set to start the second half of the season on Friday the urgency to land another starting pitcher should be at an all-time high. With the Red Sox 4.5 games ahead of them in the AL East they’re going to need another quality starter to give themselves a chance at winning the division.

It doesn’t have to be a clear-cut ace like Jacob deGrom (that’s not going to happen), but it does have to be someone who is going to be more consistent than Domingo German and Sonny Gray. Continuing to pitch both of them every fifth day isn’t going to cut. That’s why Carlos Martinez should be the guy they focus on getting over the next two weeks.

It remains to be seen if the Cardinals will be sellers, but right now at 48-46, they look like they should be. They’re 7.5 games back in the NL Central, 4 back for the second wild-card spot and they just fired their manager Mike Matheny this past Saturday. They’re not out of the playoff race by any means, but if their struggles continue the team will probably be sellers according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

"“The Cards open the second half with their first eight games on the road, five at Wrigley to start, and follow that with a three-game series at home against the Cubs. If St. Louis continues to plummet, the expectation is the Cards would seriously consider selling.”"

Whether the two-time All-Star Martinez would be one of the players they listen to offers for remains to be seen, but if they did they’d be sure to get a big haul in return. Right now he’s in year two of a 5-year $51 million contract that has him under control team control through 2023. He’s also having another solid season coming off a career year in 2017 and at only 26 years old he fits the description of the type of pitcher GM Brian Cashman likes to go after.

Another thing that makes Martinez an attractive option is the fact that he has only given up four home runs in 90.2 innings which would bode well at Yankee Stadium. He also has a very respectable 3.08 ERA and strikes out 8.6 per 9 innings. He has ace-type stuff and has drawn comparisons to Pedro Martinez in the past, but his control can be shaky at times. His walk rate of 4.7 per 9 is a career-worst, but when he has his command he is extremely tough to hit.

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The cost to get him

If Martinez became available I don’t think there’s any question he’d be the top starter on the trade market. He’s young, under team control and unlike other rumored options like J.A Happ and Cole Hamels he’s actually someone the Yankees could plug right behind Luis Severino in their rotation and feel confident about it.

Because of that, he would cost Cashman and company a lot to acquire. Who knows what it would take to get him, but I don’t think the Yankees would be willing to give up either Miguel Andujar or Justus Sheffield. However, everyone else would probably be on the table.

Clint Frazier, Albert Abreu, Chance Adams and even Estevan Florial could be included in any potential deal. The same goes for Tyler Wade, Brandon Drury, and Tommy Kahnle. It would probably take at least three of these guys to get Martinez but at this point in the season, the Yanks would be crazy not to consider pursuing him if he becomes available.

There’s still a good chance the Cards will hold on to Martinez and try to make a run this year and beyond with him in the fold, but if they’re looking for the perfect trade partner it’s the Yankees. In any potential deal between the two, the Cardinals could fill multiple needs in their farm system and on their big league roster.

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The Yankees are desperate to improve their starting rotation and they need another pitcher as much as any championship contender in the game. Martinez is the one potential trade option who could truly be a difference maker now and in October.

Now let’s just hope the Cardinals decide to sell and make him available.