The NY Yankees are looking at trade deals this summer in the rotation and names like David Price, Jeff Samardzija, Jason Hammel and cliff Lee could be in the mix and teams likely will want Dellin Betances even if the Yanks don't want to trade him, while Brian Roberts could get traded by Brian Cashman if the GM calls up Rob Refsnyder at second base, which ESPN reports is a possibility.
The Yankees have been mentioned by ESPN.com, Buster Olney, Newsday and the Daily News as a team that could be active at the trading deadline, but at the same time, GM Brian Cashman has tried to quell some of that excitement. Cashman said that the team doesn't want to sell the farm for a short-term pitcher and that means names like Betances and Jose Ramirez are likely off the table. Getting someone like David Price or Jeff Samardzija will take a name like that, but Jason Hammel may not cost as much since he is a veteran pitcher that is older and not nearly as valued as the other two.
The Yankees have some options to look at, as they have a number of veteran players that teams may want at the deadline, including someone like Roberts. While Roberts has not been an offensive force, teams looking for upgrades could go after him and trading Roberts would be much easier if the Yankees are interested in calling up prospect Rob Refsnyder at second base. According to ESPN New York, Refsnyder is the top option for the team at 2B in the minors and he is a player that could be on his way up after being successful in the minors.
The report writes that the 23 years old Refsnyder is tearing it up in the minor leagues and this comes after he previously played at Double-A, going for a .340 average in 60 games and that moved him up to Scranton. The Yankees are in desperate need of some hitting along with pitching, as the offense has seemingly been unable to score in the biggest moments. While Refsnyder is still young and his transition to the majors is no guarantee, he likely would be a batter offensive option right now that Roberts, even after the former Orioles star hit a ninth inning home run the other night for the Yankees.
The Yankees have a mostly barren farm system due to their success over the years and that is why Cashman values Betances and Refsnyder as well as catcher Gary Sanchez. Refsnyder has the chance to be a special player and Cashman doesn't want to stunt his development by bringing him up too soon and he comes in after hitting nine home runs in nearly 80 games in the minors this season. Roberts is hitting below .240 and that is not getting it done for the team and while a move for Refsnyder may not come for a while, it's an option Cashman has in his back pocket.
The injuries to CC Sabathia and Michael Pineda have put the rotation in a tough spot and while names like David Phelps, Vidal Nuno and Chase Whitley have been solid, they need to be better for the Yanks to get into the playoffs. The team is currently three games back in the division and four games back in the wild card and right now the Mariners and Angels are holding those spots down. The Yankees need more pitching and more offense and Cashman may have to get creative to get deals done.
