The NY Yankees may look for a trade after Ivan Nova injured his elbow and likely will need Tommy Johns surgery, as names like Cliff Lee, Jeff Samardzija, David Price, Rick Porcello and Trevor Cahill could be available for the team and some rumors have speculated that the Yanks could part ways with some of their prospects to make a deal happen, as Gary Sanchez, Jose Ramirez or Manny Banuelos could be part of a package for Brian Cashman.
Nova was injured in the game against the Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend and while it's not official yet, it looks like he will need Tommy John surgery after suffering a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament, which is the same injury that Matt Moore, Matt Harvey and a number of other players have had this season. According to ESPN.com, Nova suffered the injury against Tampa on Saturday and he was forced to leave the game in the fifth inning and Nova knew something was wrong when he threw, as he said he felt a pop and immediately the medical staff came out to look at him. The Yankees rotation has been a strength this season with Nova, CC Sabathia, Masahiro Tanaka, Hiroki Kuroda and Michael Pineda and now the team may look to David Phelps or Vidal Nuno, while trades also could be possible.
There has been no official work yet, but Jon Heyman from CBS Sports reports that names like Cliff Lee, Jeff Samardzija, David Price and Rick Porcello could be in the mix down the line if Nuno or Phelps doesn't work out. Price has been mentioned in trade rumors since last season and the Rays may not be willing to trade him now since they are dealing with some serious injuries, including to Matt Moore and Alex Cobb. Porcello could also be an option with the Tigers, while Samardzija was mentioned in the offseason as an option with the Cubs.
Lee would be a longshot since he likes playing for the Phillies, but in each of the past two seasons he has been mentioned in trade rumors and the Yankees have the money to pay him. Lee is durable and reliable and it could make up for when the Yankees tried to trade for him when he was with the Mariners and when they tried to sign him as a free agent.
The money Lee makes could make the Yanks pause, but after he signed a five-year, $125 million deal, he has comes into the fourth year of that deal and that could make it a bit better for the payroll. Lee is making mad money, as he is set to make $25 million with a $27.5 million vesting option for 2016 and while that is a ton, he could be another ace in the stable for the Yankees. Funny enough, the Mariners wanted Nova in the deal with Lee back when he was traded to the Rangers and now he could be a replacement for Nova. Lee is having another solid season and he is 2-2 with a 4.00 ERA with 28 strikeouts and even if a trade doesn't go down now, keep an eye out at the deadline.