Yankees could soon see Phillies sign free agent pitcher J.A. Happ

The Phillies are reportedly close to finalizing a deal for free agent pitcher, J.A. Happ. If the veteran southpaw signs with Philadelphia, how will Yankees GM Brian Cashman respond?

On Tuesday, The New York Post reported the Phillies are zoning in on signing free agent J.A. Happ. If the Yankees lose out on signing the veteran left-hander, it could force the Yankees to take action, sooner rather than later.

As much as Cashman wants to bring Happ back, he prefers to sign him at a certain price. While analysts insist that Happ requires a three-year deal, the Yanks would prefer to agree on two due to Happ being 36-years-old. However, would the Yanks overpay for him now that the Phillies are a legitimate suitor?

Committing to only signing free agents at a limited bidding price is not a winning strategy. The market for pitching is quickly intensifying this offseason.

As fewer options seem viable for the Yankees, the asking price in return for signing a dependable pitcher could get even more expensive — especially because Cashman has openly admitted at the beginning of the offseason that pitching is his organization’s No. 1 priority.

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Some may argue that Cashman must have a plan already in the works to further improve the starting rotation. Others have grown impatient as they wait to see another starting pitcher come off the board.

Happ is unlike the other available arms. He was the Yankees best starting pitcher during the second half of last season. Therefore there’s only one reason Cashman isn’t caving into Happ’s demands: he knows better options are available via trade.

On Tuesday, news broke that the Yankees were working on a blockbuster three-team trade to land New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard. The Cleveland Indians have also made it known pitchers Trevor Bauer (a consistent Cy Young candidate) and Corey Kluber, are available.

If Happ signs with the Phillies, Cashman will have to cut his losses to land the type of stud pitcher he covets while possibly dealing from the farm system.

If Cashman bends, Yankee fans could see a beloved player or two shipped out of the Big Apple. The Indians and Mets want pro-level ballplayers, and so do the Marlins, who are a crucial piece of the puzzle in the potential blockbuster three-team deal.