Yankees: Kyle Hendricks now mentioned as possible trade target by NYY insider

Are the Yankees-Kyle Hendricks rumors about to become a real thing?

As the New York Yankees continue their quest to bolster the starting rotation, everyone’s yelling out for them to go for it all and trade for guys like Cincinnati Reds’ Luis Castillo and Chicago Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks. It’s all anyone’s been reading on social media and various blogs. Even insiders have gone as far to suggest both are possibilities, or at least logical.

However, there have yet to be reports indicating the Yankees engaged with the Cubs about Hendricks, whereas there’s been plenty of chatter about general manager Brian Cashman’s supposed discussions with the Reds about Castillo (Cincinnati asked for Gleyber Torres in return).

But now we have a Yankees insider making the link to Hendricks, saying on MLB Network that the right-hander “could be a potential trade target” while also alluding to his connection with health director Eric Cressey, who also has a close relationship with Corey Kluber and probably helped that deal get to the finish line. Thank you, Bryan Hoch!

https://twitter.com/Yankeelibrarian/status/1352775118997643264?s=20

From Yankees Twitter all the way up the chain to MLB.com. You simply have to love the power of the folks backing the Bombers. It’s influential and inspirational.

And it’s really not out of the question. The Yankees need to knock two players off the 40-man roster to make room for Kluber and DJ LeMahieu. Assuming they do some sort of three-for-one swap involving Hendricks, that’ll solve all the roster problems. But then comes the luxury tax.

At the moment, the Yankees have about $9 million to spend before hitting the $210 million luxury tax threshold. The problem? Hendricks carries a $14 million salary from 2021-2023 and then has a $16 million vesting option for 2024. If the Yankees’ goal is to stay under the threshold, they’ll have to move some salary.

At this point, the only sensible option is Adam Ottavino, who will make $9 million in 2021, but we have no idea who will take on that money without the Yankees eating some of it. Perhaps New York takes on $3 million, gets rid of $6 million, and brings in Hendricks, which would put them right up against the tax?

Just a thought. We’re just glad this buzz made it all the way to the top. Now let’s get it done.

Yankees: This Kyle Hendricks trade with Cubs should get the job done

The New York Yankees need to make a move for a starting pitcher and Chicago Cubs ace Kyle Hendricks fits the bill almost too perfectly.