How convenient that I wait until this morning to talk about
the Yankees potential trade partners, the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees and the
Rays begin a three-game series tonight in Tampa that ultimately will have
to set the tone for the Yankees before the trading deadline. Many thought the
Bronx Bombers were dead in the water heading into that big four-game series
with Cleveland right before the All-Star break and ever since then all the team
has done was win (with a small hiccup against Boston thrown in the middle
there). Now many wonder and believe the Yankees should be buyers and not
sellers before the August 1st trading deadline and if they are
buying I believe Tampa has a few pieces worth buying this weekend.
While I will preface this article with the fact that I find
it unlikely that the Tampa Bay Rays would trade within the division nor do I
feel like the team will especially help the Yankees in any way let’s ignore
that and have a little fun here on our Friday morning. I will say that while
it’s unlikely that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. The Yankees and the Rays could
potentially hook up in a trade but the Yankees will have to VASTLY overpay for
their services, something I’m not quite sure I am comfortable doing personally.
The Rays have made both Matt Moore and Chris Archer
available via trade and both could help the Yankees both this year if they are
serious about making a push towards that second Wild Card spot and beyond the
2016 season as well. Moore is signed through the 2016 season with team options
for the 2017-2019 seasons worth $7 million, $9 million and $10 million
respectively while Archer is signed through the 2019 season with a pair of team
options for 2020 and 2021 worth $9 million and $11 million respectively. The
way the market is today you are seeing #4 and #5 pitchers earning that kind of
money annually making the Rays pair of potential aces, one present and one
working his way back to being one, an absolute steal and bargain going forward.
For those reasons alone Moore and Archer will not come
cheap, especially to the Yankees. Attached to Gleyber Torres already? Don’t be,
if a deal is made he’s headed to Tampa. Him or Jorge Mateo, one or the other,
and plus some other top prospects as well. Now obviously Moore would come
cheaper than Archer for obvious reasons, Moore hasn’t been “great” in about
four seasons now, but either would be great additions to the Yankees. Just
likely and just really, really expensive.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)