Yankees shouldn’t be afraid to compromise in starting pitcher search

The Yankees have primarily been linked to the top starters on the market, but if the price isn’t right, they shouldn’t hesitate to adjust their focus.

By most indications, the New York Yankees are targeting a starting pitcher by the trade deadline, a search that ramped up after the club added a third baseman and pair of relievers from the White Sox last week. In recent days, we’ve been hearing a lot about the Yanks’ pursuit of Sonny Gray, and various reports suggested they were making progress on a deal with the A’s.

Last night, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports claimed that Oakland is holding out for either Gleyber Torres or Clint Frazier in exchange for their ace. Unsurprisingly, the Yankees refuse to include either of their top prospects in the deal, as they well should.

If Heyman is correct, it remains to be seen whether the A’s budge before the deadline. In the absence of a better offer, they could lower their asking price a bit. Recent reports indicated they were also eyeing 19-year-old outfielder Estevan Florial, another Yankees farmhand whose stock has been rising of late. Or, with Gray under control for two more seasons, Billy Beane could hold on to him and shop him again in the offseason or at the next deadline.

In either case, we should know soon: If the A’s trade Gray, it will probably happen before his next scheduled start on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Rangers have decided they will in fact move Yu Darvish, per FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. While Gray is the starter the Yanks have been linked to the most, they’ve also supposedly been keeping tabs on the coveted right-hander. Darvish is an impending free agent and not having his best year, but that won’t torpedo his price. It wouldn’t be a shock if Texas asked for a similar package from the Yanks as Oakland.

Justin Verlander‘s name continues to make the rounds, but given his age and contract situation, it doesn’t seem particularly likely that the Yankees will hammer out an agreeable trade for him by Monday.

If Yankees GM Brian Cashman finds himself at an impasse with the market’s top starting pitchers, he has three main options. He can give in and surrender the farm, set his sights a bit lower, or stand pat. Continuing to trot Luis Cessa or Caleb Smith out there every five days isn’t the most reassuring thought for the Yanks’ playoff hopes. It seems the team won’t rush Chance Adams up to the majors either.

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The Yanks shouldn’t give up the likes of Torres or Frazier purely for a chance to win in 2017. But at the same time, it’s hard to see them throwing in the towel and leaving this season’s fate up to a shaky rotation, especially when they have shown signs of breaking out of their extended slump (6-1 in last seven).

New York can still give its rotation a boost even if it passes on Gray and Darvish. You’re beginning to hear about Lance Lynn in more trade rumors. The Cardinals righty is enjoying a strong campaign, posting a 3.21 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 120.2 innings after missing all of last year recovering from Tommy John surgery. The Yankees might not like the idea of his 1.6 HR/9 rate in their home ballpark, but he’s a free-agent-to-be and likely won’t cost an exorbitant amount.

A recent slide has apparently prompted the Twins to consider becoming last-minute sellers, which could be of interest to the Yanks. Jon Morosi of MLB.com says they could look to move several players, even the just-acquired Jaime Garcia. Ervin Santana might be worth consideration as well, though he has struggled since his incredible start (5.46 ERA since beginning of June). The veteran is under contract through 2018 with a team option for the following year, which might not excite New York considering he’ll be 35 in December.

Next: Gray, Darvish appear unlikely to end up in D.C.

Perhaps Oakland’s insistence on one of the jewels of the Yankees system will fade in the next day or two and a deal will eventually get done. However, if that doesn’t happen, Cashman still has several other directions he can go. Most of the second-tier candidates come with flaws and probably wouldn’t make as much of an impact as someone like Gray, but the Yankees do have some options if they want to improve their chances this year without denting the future.