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Yankees: These early trade rumors should worry fans ahead of deadline

By Thomas Carannante |
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 04: Kyle Gibson #44 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Minnesota Twins on May 4, 2021 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 04: Kyle Gibson #44 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Minnesota Twins on May 4, 2021 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
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Richard Rodriguez #48 of the Pittsburgh Pirates (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Richard Rodriguez #48 of the Pittsburgh Pirates (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Will the New York Yankees buy or orchestrate a mini sale at the July 31 trade deadline? It all depends largely on the team’s play after the All-Star break.

We can keep talking until we’re blue in the face about who we think general manager Brian Cashman will trade for. It’s useless. He doesn’t listen to us! We don’t know why.

However, what we do know is that the trade market is moving four weeks out and a number of candidates the Yankees should be interested in will likely be aggressively sought after. What else is there to worry about? Fellow contenders and division rivals getting even better for the second half.

If some of the early rumors are any indication, that’s exactly what’s happening. As usual, it won’t be easy finding the talent that fits at the right price, but is it ever easy?

Nope! It’s not. The Yankees have gone two straight years without making a momentous deadline acquisition, and that simply has to change if the organization still believes the current core can still make it to October.

Looking ahead, however, Cashman should have a backup plan to a backup plan to a backup plan, because some guys might get scooped up earlier than you’d think.

Here are three early trade rumors that should worry the Yankees before the deadline.

3. Blue Jays interested in Richard Rodriguez

The Toronto Blue Jays, who are right there with the Yankees in the AL East standings, just made a trade with the Miami Marlins, so it’s clear their plan is in motion. They acquired reliever Adam Cimber and outfielder Corey Dickerson to bolster their bullpen and outfield depth (if Dickerson comes back from injury) … two areas the Yankees also need to consider.

Now, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Jays remain interested in Pirates reliever Richard Rodriguez. Is Rodriguez expected to be a Yankees target? No, but he’ll make the rival Blue Jays even better, which could hamper the Yankees’ ability to take a leap in the playoff picture.

Rodriguez, who’s wasting away in Pittsburgh, figures to be a prime trade candidate on the relief market because of his 2.59 ERA and pristine 0.80 WHIP. The right-hander would be a matchup nightmare for the Yankees, who have a right-handed heavy offense. Additionally, the bullpen has cost the Jays so many games thus far in 2021. If that unit makes any sort of progress, then expect Toronto, which already has two MVP candidates in Marcus Semien and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., to give the Yanks even more trouble.

Do. Not. Want. This.

Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

2. D-Backs have ‘no plans’ to move Ketel Marte

The Yankees just made a trade for an outfielder with the Arizona Diamondbacks … but it was for one of their bench options. Not David Peralta. Not Ketel Marte. It’s Tim Locastro returning to the Bronx! It wasn’t a bad deal, either. The Yankees needed speed and defense, which Locastro offers. At least Cashman knows where the deficiencies need to be patched up.

But the Yankees still need a starting center fielder — and a flexible one at that. Marte was seemingly the perfect fit. He can play center field and shortstop, and he’s a switch-hitter. That checks all the boxes! A capable starter in center, a reliable backup shortstop, and a lefty bat! Make the move and cancel the deadline!

Unfortunately, however, MLB insider Mark Feinsand is telling us exactly what we don’t want to hear:

“A number of teams would love to add Marte, but it seems as though the D-backs have no plans to move the 27-year-old for the exact reasons you mention. Trading for players with years of control on reasonable contracts isn’t easy, especially when those players are as good as Marte has been.”

Great. Well, look, no player is untouchable. If the Yankees blow the D-Backs away with an offer, Arizona will sell. But sadly, Cashman doesn’t do that. He doesn’t overpay. Other teams hardly ever give him another option, but he’s spent the better part of the last five years strategically structuring packages to avoid parting with a young talent he might regret. We’re not going to necessarily criticize it, but sometimes you just gotta let it fly. Give up the prospects. Get the proven talent. Move on. Hope for the best.

Nonetheless, as of right now, the most fitting option for the Yankees is not available based on the latest buzz.

Kyle Gibson of the Texas Rangers (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Kyle Gibson of the Texas Rangers (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

1. Mets ‘rumored’ to be in on Kyle Gibson

About six weeks ago, we would’ve laughed at your if you said the Yankees needed starting pitching at the trade deadline. Gerrit Cole was unstoppable. Corey Kluber had just thrown a no-hitter. Jordan Montgomery and Domingo German were solid. Everyone was propping up Jameson Taillon. Luis Severino was about to make a return!

Then … MLB banned foreign substances for pitchers and Cole came crashing back down to earth. Kluber suffered a shoulder injury and might not be back until September. German had a 7.20 ERA in June. Taillon is still in the mid-5’s. Severino suffered a groin injury that delayed his rehab process a month. The only above-average arm has been Montgomery. How?

What else is new?! The Yankees need starting pitching. Luckily for them, some solid arms are expected to be dealt in the coming weeks. Unluckily for them, a lot of teams need those solid arms.

One of which is the New York Mets, somehow. According to MLB insider Jayson Stark, the most rumored trade candidate surrounding the crosstown rivals is Texas Rangers righty Kyle Gibson. The Mets have the fourth-best ERA (3.33) in baseball and the best starters’ ERA (2.90). And they’re looking to bolster their rotation when they have the worst offense in MLB?!

And think about all the other actual starter-needy teams who will be involved in here. The Mets are throwing their hat into the ring just to become a juggernaut in the starting pitching department? Sweet. If they’re reportedly involved this early, it’s also not a good sign for the Bombers.

Gibson leads the AL in ERA and ERA+. Probably would’ve been a good bet for the Yankees assuming the price wasn’t overly steep. That would’ve allowed them to kick German and Michael King to the curb as they wait for Kluber’s return. But since Sevy should be back not too long after the All-Star break, the Yankees won’t be paying a premium for a guy who’s having his best season ever in Year 9.

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