MLB Trade Rumors: Yankees Have Competition For Madison Bumgarner, Zack Wheeler In Quest For Pitcher

It’s no secret that the New York Yankees are hoping to trade for a starting pitcher before the July 31 deadline. The team has been linked to a few of the same names for weeks, though they will have competition in trying to get a deal done.

The Yankees have the American League’s best record at the All-Star break. The Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins are right behind them and also reportedly in the market to improve their respective rotations.

The Boston Red Sox trail New York by nine games in the AL East. As the defending champions attempt to get back to the playoffs, they are a candidate to steal away a pitcher the Yankees have their eyes on.

Madison Bumgarner is expected to be traded since he’s in the last year of his contract for a San Francisco Giants’ team that isn’t going to the postseason. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal noted Monday that the Yankees, Astros, Twins, Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers are all potential landing spots for Bumgarner.

It’s been reported that the Yankees aren’t prepared to give up their top prospects for Bumgarner, who battled injuries in each of the last two seasons and has a career-high 4.03 ERA at the All-Star break. The veteran’s availability and track record of success in the playoffs still make him a real option for New York.

SNY’s Andy Martino has reported throughout the season that the Yankees are big fans of New York Mets’ pitcher Zack Wheeler. According to Martino, the cross-town rivals have had discussions about the starter as the Mets prepare to become sellers at the trade deadline.

Like Bumgarner, Wheeler is a free-agent-to-be and wouldn’t cost the Yankees their top prospects.

Shortly after Rosenthal reported that the Red Sox were pushing to trade for a starter, Martino noted that Boston has inquired about Wheeler. The Braves and Chicago Cubs are reportedly possible destinations for Wheeler, as well.

Wheeler has struggled after performing like one of the best pitchers in baseball in the second half of last season. The right-hander has a 4.69 ERA in 119 innings, though he does have 130 strikeouts and just 34 walks.

The Mets added several veterans in the offseason with designs of making a playoff run in 2019. They are 40-50 and 13.5 games out of first place in the NL East.

The Giants are 41-48 and 17.5 games out of first place. The Philadelphia Phillies have the second NL wild-card spot with a 47-43 record.