New York Yankees Rumors: Trade Target Clears Waivers, Red Sox Were Interested In Ex-Orioles' Pitcher

The New York Yankees have 16 days left to trade for a player that will be eligible for the postseason roster. The team made several deals before MLB’s July 31 non-waiver deadline, and it just became easier for them to acquire a player they had interest in last month.

Curtis Granderson has cleared waivers, according to The Athletic’s Robert Murray, meaning the Toronto Blue Jays can trade him to any team in baseball. The Yankees reportedly had their eyes on the outfielder when Aaron Judge was placed on the disabled list, though they didn’t pull the trigger on a deal.

While taking a look at rentals like Granderson, Jose Bautista and Andrew McCutchen two weeks ago, the Yankees found the asking prices to be too high. The case could be the same with less than seven weeks remaining on the regular-season schedule, though New York could certainly use another experienced bat in the lineup. Judge is still out with a wrist injury, and catcher Gary Sanchez might not return until September because of a groin injury.

Having to rely on the likes of Shane Robinson and Luke Voit in the lineup, the Yankees have all but officially fallen out of the AL East race. Any future moves would be made to secure a wild-card berth. New York is 3.5 games ahead of the Oakland Athletics for the first wild-card spot and the Seattle Mariners trail Oakland by another 3.5 games.

The Yankees have already traded with the Blue Jays this year, acquiring J.A. Happ right before the deadline. Happ has been terrific for New York, tossing three quality starts and allowing just four earned runs in 19 innings.

Lance Lynn has been just as good for New York. The pitcher has surrendered a single earned run in 16.2 innings since coming over from the Minnesota Twins.

General manager Brian Cashman made major improvements to the Yankees’ rotation, but his trade to upgrade the bullpen hasn’t worked out as well. After posting eight straight scoreless outings with the Baltimore Orioles, Zach Britton has posted a 4.70 ERA in eight appearances for New York.

The Yankees ultimately traded three prospects for Britton, keeping him away from the Boston Red Sox. New York’s chief rival was interested in trading for the lefty reliever, but the Red Sox didn’t match the Yankees’ offer because of how much the deal would’ve increased their payroll, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.

Boston traded for Ian Kinsler and Nathan Eovaldi before the trade deadline. Kinsler has gotten just 10 at-bats with the Red Sox. Eovaldi is 2-0 with a 2.04 ERA in three starts.