Yankees Rumors: Ranking 5 Most Likely Options For 2019 MLB Trade Deadline, Marcus Stroman Tops List

The New York Yankees have seemingly been linked to just about every starting pitcher that has any chance of being dealt before the 2019 MLB trade deadline. Despite holding the best record in the American League, the organization seems determined to upgrade its rotation this summer.

Unfortunately for the Yankees, the list of available pitchers is shrinking in the days leading up to July 31. With so many teams in playoff contention, the number of sellers could be smaller than initially predicted.

Madison Bumgarner once looked like a lock to be traded, but the San Francisco Giants’ recent hot streak will probably keep the 2014 World Series MVP in the Bay Area. It’s hard to see the Cleveland Indians trading Trevor Bauer now that they are leading the AL Wild-Card race and only three games out of first place in the AL Central.

The Yankees covet Noah Syndergaard more than anyone, according to multiple reports. Don’t expect the New York Mets to help out their cross-town rivals by handing over a potential future Cy Young winner.

Only one Yankees’ starter has a sub-4.00 ERA. New York has championship aspirations and traded for a pitcher in each of the last two summers. They will probably find a way to add someone of significance.

Here are the five pitchers most likely to be traded to the Yankees by July 31:

1) Marcus Stroman, Toronto Blue Jays

Stroman is clearly the leading candidate to end up in the Bronx. He’s the one starter that seems highly likely to be dealt. The Blue Jays are out of the playoff race and not expected to contend next season in the final year of Stroman’s contract. The right-hander has plenty of value with a 3.06 ERA and postseason experience under his belt. Toronto and New York made a deal last July when the Yankees traded for J.A. Happ. Stroman could become the Yankees’ Game 2 starter in a playoff series.

2) Mike Minor, Texas Rangers

A poor start to the second half from the Rangers means the team should listen to offers for Minor. Texas is just 2-8 since the All-Star Game and 6.5 games out of the wild-card race. MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reported last week that Minor is increasingly likely to be traded, and The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal noted that the Yankees have scouted Minor’s last two starts. Even though the left-hander didn’t pitch particularly well in those games, he’s got the AL’s second-best ERA at 2.86.

3) Robbie Ray, Arizona Diamondbacks

Multiple reports indicate that the Yankees are big fans of Ray, who ranks second in the NL with 162 strikeouts. The left-hander is two seasons removed from finishing seventh in the NL Cy Young voting. Like Stroman and Minor, Ray would be under New York’s control through 2020. The issue is whether or not Arizona wants to trade him when they are just three games out of the wild-card race. The Diamondbacks really aren’t title contenders with a .500 record and three teams sitting between themselves and the NL’s final postseason berth.

4) Zack Wheeler, New York Mets

Acquiring Wheeler might not be very difficult, even if the Mets prefer not to help the Yankees. The right-hander has a 4.69 ERA in the final year of his contract and is coming off a stint on the injured list. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman has reported that the Mets are committed sellers. The Yankees wouldn’t have to give up a ton, and it’s been reported that they really like Wheeler’s stuff. It’s just not a trade that would move the needle much for the Yankees, who might not even give Wheeler a playoff start.

5) Matthew Boyd, Detroit Tigers

It was reported weeks ago that Boyd is available at the right price. The Tigers have only gotten worse since then, putting together the worst record in baseball. The remaining three and a half years on Boyd’s contract likely appeals to the Yankees, but that also means Detroit would require a major offer for their ace. Maybe the fact that Boyd has pitched poorly for two straight months has slightly dropped the price for the 28-year-old.