2019 Trade Thread

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There are moments when all of the elements in the New York Yankees' pitching universe are in perfect sync, making it almost possible to forget how desperately they need another starter. Almost.

Masahiro Tanaka's splitter reawakens, J.A. Happ's four-seam fastball becomes a weapon again and CC Sabathia's knee stops hurting. The Yankees can look as invincible as they did while sweeping the Tampa Bay Rays this week, convincing you the road to October—and specifically through the Houston Astros—is obstacle-free.

That would be true, except general manager Brian Cashman knows better. He said as much after trading for Edwin Encarnacion over the weekend, creating a lineup with frightening home run potential. Despite the upgrade, Cashman admitted, "I've got more work to do."


There was no need to explain further. The Yankees hit a record-setting 267 HRs last year but got knocked out in the American League Division Series. The real search is for pitching, not power—for the standalone ace who can match up with Justin Verlander or David Price.

After a steady ascent since 2016, the Yankees can't be content with another 100-win season if it ends with an early-round playoff exit. That's why the hunt begins and ends with Max Scherzer, the starter who can take the Bombers to the next level of dominance.

Is the Washington Nationals ace available? That remains to be seen. If the July 31 trade deadline were today, it's unlikely the Yankees—or anyone—would land Scherzer. But there are still approximately six weeks left for Cashman to outmaneuver his peers, not to mention convince Nationals GM Mike Rizzo that Washington would be better off without the game's most talented righty.

Here's one argument the Yankees could make: Scherzer will have 10-and-5 rights in 2020, which means he will control the narrative—he can veto any trade as if he had a full no-trade clause—not the club. The right-hander is making $37 million this year and is owed another $70-plus million through 2021.

If Rizzo is mulling the financial freedom that'd come with moving Scherzer, he'd be wise to act sooner than later. While the Yankees won't be the only ones pursuing Scherzer, owner Hal Steinbrenner effectively gave Cashman the go-ahead Wednesday to exceed the highest luxury-tax threshold ($246 million) if it meant significantly improving the roster. The Yankees are currently $20 million under that threshold. READ MORE...