Yankees: This German Marquez trade with Rockies could actually work

Could the Yankees and Rockies do business yet again for German Marquez?

Time and again over the past several years, the Bronx has been a salvation spot for several ex-Rockies; DJ LeMahieu, Mike Tauchman, and Adam Ottavino have recently become Yankees studs after escaping the altitude.

Also, Troy Tulowitzki counts!

But somehow, despite myriad rumors, the Yankees and Rockies haven’t hooked up in recent years for any pitching-based deals, despite an overload of change-of-scenery names in Colorado (and Brian Cashman’s penchant for buying low).

So, would the Yanks consider buying high instead? After all, if young righty German Marquez can conquer the mountain air with his breaking stuff, can’t he conquer anything?

Marquez, still only just about to turn 26, has likely escaped even the peripheral vision of your average New Yorker, but he’s posted solid numbers since his 2016 debut, struck out 230 in 196 innings in 2018, and will be controlled through 2023 with a team option for 2024.

The Rockies clearly intended to build around him, hence the mini-extension to buy out his arbitration years. But will Marquez really be on the next great team in Colorado? Will any of these people?

By our estimation, Marquez could find his way to the Bronx at a slightly lower rate than a Luis Castillo deal (Gleyber Torres is untouchable!), but not by much. It’ll still cost far more than other Rockies options like Kyle Freeland or Jon Gray, and No. 4s throughout the league like the Pirates’ Chad Kuhl and Marlins’ Pablo Lopez.

The Rockies are poised to replace Trevor Story directly with top prospect Brendan Rogers, so a name like Oswald Peraza likely isn’t of any interest to them. This is the kind of conversation that has to start with Clint Frazier and projectable pitching — think two of Deivi Garcia, Luis Gil, and Luis Medina.

If positions aren’t a concern and Colorado’s just looking to stockpile offense, Miguel Andújar — close to a zero in value at the moment — could be included in place of the lesser pitching prospect.

This will be costly, and could breed resentment in Clint “I’m Not Leaving” Frazier, but perhaps he could be swayed with tall tales of the thin air and power porch. Quite simply, he’d be a monster in Denver, and Andújar likely would be, too.

We’d pay the price for Luis Castillo if the option presented himself, but the addition of Marquez or Kyle Hendricks of the Cubs are likely the only needle-movers this offseason. And this still-expensive package could work.

Yankees Rumors: NYY considered wild Gary Sanchez move if DJ LeMahieu left

The New York Yankees were reportedly actually considering tossing Gary Sanchez aside in favor of JT Realmuto if DJ LeMahieu had left.