The August 1st trade deadline is Monday. Two days from today. The New York Yankees have a lot of work to do either way between now and then no matter what outcome they decide to go for. If the team decides the playoffs, even a play-in game in the playoffs, is worth it and within reach then they need to acquire a few pieces for the stretch without mortgaging the future but if the organization decides to sell it has a lot of assets they could potentially unload between now and Monday afternoon. While Andrew Miller might fetch the most in terms of prospects and such the name that is the most likely to be moved may be the Yankees right fielder, Carlos Beltran.
I say Beltran may be the most likely to be moved because of
how well he is doing this season. Ivan Nova will be moved according to Joel
Sherman but he’s struggled for much of the 2016 season while Beltran has been a
consistent contributor in the Yankees lineup and in right field. At 39-years
old Beltran is slashing .305/.347/.548 with 21 home runs and 62 RBI at the time
of this writing which puts him on pace for a 34 home run season with 99 RBI.
What team couldn’t use that?
Beltran, like Nova and Aroldis Chapman, will see his
contract expire at the end of the season and would be a true rental for any
team. The team that may be the best match for the Yankees and for Beltran and
his DH needs specifically may be the Cleveland Indians. The Indians are looking
to hold onto their slim lead in the AL Central Division and could definitely
use the shot in the arm that Beltran could bring to their offense. It also
doesn’t hurt that the Indians have the young pitching and prospects that the
Yankees covet to facilitate a deal either.
Beltran could play the outfield in Cleveland while splitting
time at DH with Carlos Santana and Mike Napoli while the Yankees could kick
start their rebuild for the 2017 season and beyond. The Indians Top 10 prospect
list is littered with starting pitchers that the Yankees covet including recently
drafted LHP Brady Aiken, yes that Brady Aiken, and Triple-A prospect Mike
Clevinger. Clevinger could be ready as soon as September of 2016 while Aiken may
have to wait until late 2018 or early 2019 before reaching the Bronx. Either
one would work though and work for both sides in a deal. Maybe the Yankees
could even get two arms with one of them being 18-year old Triston McKenzie,
who knows.
I’m certainly no expert on the Indians farm system nor am I
an insider but I know Beltran’s veteran bat can help this club that looks
postseason bound and his postseason experience definitely won’t hurt Cleveland.
Meanwhile the Yankees are thin on upper level pitching prospects and Aiken or
Clevinger and McKenzie can definitely change that pretty quickly for New York. It
sounds good on paper but now it’s time to make it a reality. Do it Cashman.
Trading Beltran would be the biggest sign of them giving up on this season, due to him being the biggest (not to mention one of the only) contributer to the offense.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's hard to see the Yankees give up.
Beltran is probably top 20 offensive producers in baseball. Maybe Braun is higher, that's potentially available.
ReplyDeleteI don't see a QO after this season. I think Beltran can return a 50-100 ranked prospect, minimum. Just a comparison-I'd say a comp pick has a 1% chance becoming big league productive. A top 100 ranked prospect, I'd say 30% within 4 years. It's so silly not to make this move. By doing this, we can get a very good look at Sanchez. Maybe even judge. They need major league at bats. Bottom line.
And ya know what, for everyone saying this would take us out of the playoffs for years, sign Edwin encarnacion. I think he most comparably replaces Beltran. And that's with teix and Beltrans salary, so I think it works well.