Bleeding Yankee Blue: A PITCHER YOU DIDN'T KNOW WAS "CONNECTED" TO THE YANKEES

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

A PITCHER YOU DIDN'T KNOW WAS "CONNECTED" TO THE YANKEES

(Aug. 18, 2016 - Source: Ed Zurga/Getty Images North America)

Well this one is coming out of left field....and I certainly didn't see it coming. I don't know where Richard Justice of MLB.com got this idea because I just don't see the Yankees being interested in this but if nothing else it is a compelling idea. After all, there isn't a whole lot of new information out there and Brian Cashman did say on Monday that he is "99.9 percent plus" sure that the Yankees are done making any moves for the upcoming season.

(July 26, 2016 - Source: Ed Zurga/Getty Images North America)

According to MLB.com HERE, Danny Duffy is a trade chip that the Kansas City Royals are willing to deal and he would fit in well for the Yankees. This connection does make SOME sense when you look at the challenges facing both clubs right now, but I'm not so sure there is enough common ground there to make a trade. Let's look.....

The Yankees are currently transitioning to get new young blood into the organization, and the Royals on the other hand are preparing to transition as they lose six of their prominent World Series players to free agency. I don't envy Royals fans right now. The players that brought them a ring all hit free agency together, and the Royals just won't be able to afford them.

(Lorenzo Cain: Aug. 28, 2016 - Source: Ed Zurga/Getty Images North America)

If I were the Royals (which I am glad I'm not!) I would be looking to move some of these guys to not only save on payroll, but to get some young promising talent into the organization before they walk away and may end up with nothing. As it stands now Lorenzo Cain, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Alcides Escobar, and Danny Duffy are all entering free agency, and should be considered possible trade targets.

Now, here is where the Yankees come in to play. Cashman says he is out of money but to address the questions that Justice asks in his article...it could be a match.

1) How good are we right now?
Offensively, I would say we are okay. We have some good young bats. Pitching though does not look good.

(Sept. 23, 2016 - Source: Jason Miller/Getty Images North America)

2) Is there one more acquisition that makes sense?
More than one. The Yankees need pitching. Jose Quintana? Jason Hammel? Danny Duffy?

3) Are we letting an opportunity pass?
Possibly, and even Brian Cashman knows that and is still keeping tabs on it.

The season hasn't started yet and you can't predict baseball but right now pitching could be the "make or break" for the Yankees this season especially with how good Boston's rotation looks on paper. The Yankees really need another starter and an experienced veteran wouldn't hurt.

(Sept. 22, 2016 - Source: Duane Burleson/Getty Images North America)

Duffy had a great season with a 12-3 record, 3.51 ERA, 188 strikeouts in 179 innings. It looks great on paper but that is not consistent with his prior years so the Yankees would have to count on him continuing with his hot streak which doesn't seem likely. It would also be nice to have another lefty in the rotation but if the Yankees don't want to give up prospects for Quintana the more desirable lefty why would they for Duffy?

And what about the cost? Teams know how much talent the Yankees have in the farm system now so it is no surprise that the Yankees lost seven players in the 2016 Rule 5 draft. The Yankees need pitching, but given how unpredictable Duffy has been in his career giving up any big names would be too risky. I would rather see the Yankees hold on to all of their top prospects, let the kids battle it out in Spring Training and round out the rotation that way. Duffy just isn't worth it in my opinion.

Justice certainly gave us all a compelling idea....but unfortunately I think it makes more sense for the Royals going forward than it does the Yankees. I do like the rumor mill though! It makes these boring winter days go by a little bit faster. Is it time for Spring Training Yet? No?! Wake me up when it is time or when the Yankees get a pitcher.