MLB: Five Teams That Should Be Sellers
By Matt Weyrich
New York Yankees
Entering play on June 22, the Yankees are 34-36 and six games back of the Orioles in the AL East. They’ve scored as many runs on the year as the lowly Brewers and sport a pitching staff that has struggled to find consistency all season. This is a team who is severely outmatched in their division, still holding onto the slim hope that the roster will be able to turn things around.
The problem is, the Yankees are old. A-Rod is a shell of his former self, Mark Teixeira is sitting on the Disabled List, and Chase Headley’s best years appear to be behind him. General Manager Brian Cashman has a high payroll to deal with, and although while they are the Yankees, any team could benefit from shedding a few million dollars.
The most intriguing trade chips on the team are none other than the three-headed monster at the back of their bullpen. Both flamethrower Aroldis Chapman and veteran closer Andrew Miller have been connected to numerous trade rumors throughout the season, and holding onto to them for much longer is getting harder and harder for Cashman to justify. Chapman is a free agent after the season, leaving little incentive for the team to keep him. Miller is still locked up through 2018 at $9 million annually.
According to Ken Rosenthal, several teams have contacted New York about their bullpen arms, including the Giants, Cubs, Nats, Rangers, and Dodgers. If and when the Yankees decide to shop one or both of their relievers, there will be plenty of suitors. It’s just up to the team to pull the trigger.
Next: The Pirates are Scuffling