Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |
Brian Cashman has a problem: While his need for starting pitching is obvious, neither the choices nor the prices are appealing right now.
Not only that, but an alternative plan stalled when the San Diego Padres asked for Miguel Andujar for lefty reliever Brad Hand, according to major league sources. The Yankees said no thanks, and Hand went to Cleveland.
As for the available starters - Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ Et al. - the Yanks consider them more back-of-the-rotation options at this point, rather than mid-rotation help. The asks for players like that are falling from top prospects like Justus Sheffield and Estevan Florial to minor leaguers a bit farther down the list. But that's still too high for the Yanks.
As for higher-end options: The Tigers are more than willing to wait another year to trade Michael Fulmer, if they are not overwhelmed by an offer.
There is a tiny, tiny, chance - and I mean tiny - that the Mets move Noah Syndergaard this month, if he pitches well once or twice. But it's nearly impossible to imagine that it will be to the Yankees.
Jacob deGrom could easily be traded this offseason, but that doesn't help the Yanks win the 2018 World Series. And it's even harder to imagine the Mets ever sending deGrom to the Bronx.
Cashman will keep looking for pitching, but his staff will also spend the rest of this month wondering if they can roll with Domingo German, Luis Cessa, and company after all.