Yankees Rumors: Signing JA Happ Could Mean Trade For Syndergaard, Kluber Won't Happen In Offseason

The New York Yankees appear to be on the verge of signing J.A. Happ. That could mean the team believes it won’t be able to trade for a frontline starter like Noah Syndergaard or Corey Kluber in the 2018 MLB offseason.

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal walked back a Wednesday morning report that said Happ accepted New York’s contract offer, but there are multiple reports indicating the two sides are close to coming to an agreement. The Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies have been considered the two favorites to land the veteran.

New York and Philadelphia both turned their attention to Happ when Patrick Corbin signed a six-year, $140 million contract with the Washington Nationals. Dallas Keuchel is the best starting pitcher on the market with Corbin gone, but the Yankees might be unwilling to give him the money he’s seeking.

Happ, 36, was terrific for the Yankees after they acquired him in July, posting a 2.69 ERA in 11 regular-season outings. He’s reportedly looking for a three-year contract, though the left-hander has had trouble getting better than a two-year offer.

Despite his success in recent years, Happ doesn’t exactly fit the bill of a frontline starter. The Yankees thought Corbin might be that, but he was the only potential ace in free agency.

New York has engaged in trade discussions with teams that are willing to listen to offers for a top starting pitcher. The Yankees might settle for Happ since they haven’t been able to get something done.

Maybe New York will look to make a deal during the season before the 2019 trade deadline. Madison Bumgarner is expected to be a trade candidate this summer if the San Francisco Giants don’t move him during the Winter Meetings.

There have been rumors that the Mets would trade Syndergaard for the right price. New York reportedly has tried to land the right-hander in a three-way trade that would send Miami Marlins’ catcher J.T. Realmuto to the Mets, but it’s not likely that the Mets will send a budding star to their cross-town rivals.

It’s clear that the Cleveland Indians want to trade either Kluber or Trevor Bauer in order to cut payroll. The Yankees, Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds have been linked to those starting pitchers.

The Yankees traded top pitching prospect Justus Sheffield to the Seattle Mariners in a deal for starter James Paxton earlier this offseason. AL Rookie of the Year runner-up Miguel Andujar could be the main piece that gets dealt if New York trades for another All-Star caliber pitcher.