Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Warren Added & Shreve Optioned. Is A Trade In The Works?

To the surprise of many, instead of sending Luis Severino back down to AAA in order to make room for Adam Warren, the Yankees have decided to send Chasen Shreve to Scranton.

Although I lobbied yesterday for Severino to be added back into the rotation, I didn't think it would actually happen tonight. I figured the team would continue to be stubborn, and keep Masahiro Tanaka, Nathan Eovaldi, Michael Pineda, CC Sabathia, and Ivan Nova in the rotation.

Wait... so what is going on?

The Yankees are not going with a six-man rotation. That's been talked about for years, but I just don't see it happening.

I suppose Girardi could use Severino or Warren as a spot-starter, in order to give Tanaka an extra day of rest every once in a while (Hiro's been pitching much better with extra rest). But is it worth keep two long relievers in the bullpen, on the off chance that one of them is needed when the other makes a start? I don't think so.

That begs the question... is somebody getting traded?

I'm going to guess that it's not CC Sabathia. First of all, who would want to pay him around $12 million for the rest of the season, and then take a huge gamble his vesting option goes through for next season and another $25 million? Secondly, I doubt I'm alone in thinking that his early season success was not what's to be expected from here on out (to be fair, I don't think he's as bad as he's been lately, either).

Although I could see the team being willing to trade away either Michael Pineda or Nathan Eovaldi, I don't see that happening. The team wouldn't hold onto an extra long reliever for five or six days, which is the time between now and their next starts.

But I can see the Yankees holding onto both Warren and Severino for a couple games. It could mean overworking one or both of Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances, but with Adam Warren aboard and pretty well rested this season I don't see a real problem.

Therefore, I think either Masahiro Tanaka or Ivan Nova are on the move.

Honestly, I don't see Tanaka going away, although it wouldn't surprise me that much. The Yankees have an eye on the future, and with 'Hiro's opt-out looming, they could very well be thinking of letting him go. Especially if they get another top pitcher in return.

My guess at this time is Brian Cashman has a deal in place to trade Ivan Nova... Friday's starter. That gives them a couple more days to finalize the deal, so that Nova can start for his new team Friday night.

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Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)