Bleeding Yankee Blue: A NEW TRADE PARTNER EMERGES

Monday, November 5, 2018

A NEW TRADE PARTNER EMERGES

Photo: SI

Pitching, pitching and did I mention pitching? Well, PITCHING is what the Yankees need. We've already said that in WE NEED PITCHING, FOLKS! Sure, names like Bryce Harper sound good. Some even like Manny Machado but the Yankees need to prioritize here. Would I like Harper? Sure. Do we need him? NO! WE NEED PITCHING!

Photo: Arizona Sports

There have already been some names floated out there. We've talked about them. I really like Patrick Corbin and think that would be one of the best additions the Yankees could make. You can't forget about how good J.A. Happ was for the Yankees either or how good Nathan Eovaldi looked this postseason but those aren't the only names out there. These guys are all free agents. The Yankees could look at a trade, and Brian Cashman could decide to call the Cleveland Indians.

According to local news sources and Buster Olney HERE, the Indians may be more motivated to move some good pieces due to "market constraints" which could mean two good pitchers. I get it, Cleveland is a smaller market but the AL Central looks to be theirs again next year. No other team will be anywhere near as competitive as they are so they should be trying to find a way to beat the Yankees, Astros, and Red Sox in the postseason. Instead, it looks like they're going to play it safe and move money around and just be happy with getting back into the postseason. Definitely not Yankee logic, but like Olney said I guess that's what "market constraints" do for other places outside of bigger cities like ours.

Photo: ESPN

So, it sounds like Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco are names that the Indians will listen to for potential trade offers. Both pitchers are work horses and have the experience that could help us get deeper into the postseason.

Photo: USA Today Sports

Kluber has an impressive resume but no World Series ring to go with it. Kluber's record this year was 20-7 in 33 starts with a 2.89 ERA this season. He recorded 222 strikeouts and 34 walks in 215 innings of work. He was the ace of a pitching staff that led the Indians to a third consecutive AL Central title. Last year he won his second Cy Young and is only the 19th pitcher in MLB history to win the award more than once. Now he just needs to add World Series Champion to his list of accomplishments.

Carrasco made 32 appearance this season and started in 30 of those. He finished with a 17-10 record with a 3.38 ERA in 192 innings and recorded 231 strikeouts. Carrasco has over 1094 innings in his big league career with 1,127 strikeouts. Carrasco eats innings and can strike guys out. He was called a "sleeper" candidate this year for a Cy Young award and was amongst favorites in the beginning of the year.

Photo: MLB

Kluber will make $17 million in 2019, and the Indians hold a club option on his deal for 2020 and 2021. Carrasco will make $7.1 million in 2019, and they also have options for 2020 and 2021. If the Indians would be willing to trade Carrasco to us he could be well worth the money if he continues to put up similar stats.

I think if the Yankees want to look at options besides signing a free agent the Indians are a good team to call. If the Indians need to shed some salary it can't hurt to make the call. The Indians have a talented staff, these two are just two of their four pitchers who recorded more than 200 strikeouts this season.

The free agent market for pitching will be pricey this season unlike last year. A lot of the big names will command multi year more costly deals. The Yankees have the money to spend, but if they choose to go another route Kluber and Carrasco could be attractive alternatives based on their more affordable price and experience. Question here is.....what would you be willing to give up for them?