The NY Yankees are heading into the winter with all options on the table, including listening to trade offers for Andrew Miller, according to a report from CBS Sports. Brian Cashman said that he is "open to anything" and Jon Heyman speculates that players like Stephen Strasburg, Craig Kimbrel or Aroldis Chapman could be potential targets.
Heyman at CBS Sports reports that Cashman said that he is "always open to anything" and that "I'm not afraid" when it comes to making trades in the offseason. Heyman reports that Miller could be a target for the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros and Arizona Diamondbacks. The Yankees like Miller and he had a strong season last year, but the team has Dellin Betances and could afford to move Miller.
Heyman writes that the team would want "an ace pitcher or some other huge return" if they decide to trade Miller. Heyman writes that some names that could make sense include Stephen Strasburg, Craig Kimbrel or Aroldis Chapman. Strasburg is coming into the end of his contract and the Nationals may not want to extend him or he may cost too much to sign again and that could make him a trade target. Heyman writes that the idea of trading Strasburg for Miller is "speculative" at this point.
The Yankees have a need for starting pitching and that is one area that Cashman is expected to address this offseason, whether it is in free agency or in trades. Players like Zack Greinke and David Price are the big names on the market, while Jeff Samardzija and Mike Leake could be less expensive options. The Yankees have Masahiro Tanaka as their best starter, but he has had elbow issues and with his injury problems he can't be relied on as a true number one at this point.
Cashman also spoke about the pitching rotation to reporters and according to ESPN.com, Cashman said that CC Sabathia is not guaranteed a spot in the rotation in 2016. Sabathia struggled last season and also entered rehab at the end of the regular season to deal with alcohol issues. The Yankees owe Sabathia $50 million over the next two years and that could make him a very expensive bullpen piece if Cashman and the Yankees opt to leave him out of the rotation.
Cashman "implied" that Sabathia will have to earn his spot in spring training, saying "we'll see" after being asked if Sabathia would be in the rotation next season. Sabathia has his off the field issues, but on the field he was not great in 2015, going 6-10 and putting up a 4.73 ERA. Sabathia did look better over his last five starts, going 2-1 with a 2.17 ERA, but Cashman is taking a wait and see approach to the rotation regarding the veteran.
