Yankees Trade Rumors: J.A. Happ Could Go To New York Soon, Cubs, Brewers Still In Mix For Pitcher

JA Happ Toronto Blue Jays — J.A. Happ #33 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch in the first inning during MLB game action against the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre on July 7, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

The starting pitcher that’s been linked to the New York Yankees for weeks could finally end up in the Bronx. The Toronto Blue Jays are looking to trade J.A. Happ soon, according to multiple reports, and the Yankees are considered the favorites to land him.

New York’s rotation is clearly the weakness of the team, and general manager Brian Cashman has been working tirelessly to make an upgrade. The Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers have also engaged with Toronto in trade discussions regarding Happ, who is probably the best starter that’s available.

A deal might get done this week because the Blue Jays have lowered their asking price. New York has a bevy of highly touted prospects, but they’ve been unwilling to unload any of them for a rental that might only be their No.4 starter. A deal for a No.1 or No.2 starter is looking unlikely with the 2018 MLB trade deadline fast approaching.

Yanks and Jays still seem to have work to do on Happ. Yanks have said no on Sheffield and also on Frazier. Jays have shown some interest in Drury. Brewers, others could still be in play. Yanks also talking to other teams (though doubtful mets would trade wheeler to NYY)
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 26, 2018

Heard multiple teams still in with #Bluejays on JA Happ. #Brewers, #Yankees believed particularly strong. Tor has lowered demands in past few days. Heard NYY made counteroffers. Expect NYY still want to use at least 1 P have to consider protecting on 40-man this winter.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 26, 2018

Yankees still appear to be the leader in the race for J.A. Happ, but other teams remain engaged with Blue Jays. Brewers & Cubs still in play, though 1-2 more may also be in the mix. Toronto may not get its initial high asking price, but the heavy competition should benefit Jays.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 26, 2018

New York has reportedly shown interest in Chris Archer, but the price would be high and it’s unclear if the Tampa Bay Rays want to move their No.2 starter. The Yankees have been linked to Jacob deGrom, whom the New York Mets almost certainly won’t trade to their cross-town rivals. There’s been speculation that Carlos Martinez could become available, though the starter is on the disabled list and the St. Louis Cardinals have yet to give up their playoff hopes.

The Yankees wouldn’t give up their top two prospects for Manny Machado, but they reportedly offered their No.3 or No.4 prospect for the shortstop. New York traded three minor-leaguers, including their No.9 ranked prospect, for a rental in reliever Zach Britton.

Happ, 35 and a free-agent-to-be, is 10-6 with a 4.18 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. He’s had a terrible July with a 7.41 ERA and three losses, though there is reason to believe he could be of significant help to the Yankees.

The veteran posted a more than respectable 3.43 ERA from 2015-2017. Happ went 20-4 in 2016 and had a 2.70 ERA in two playoff starts, and the Yankees might be much more comfortable handing him the ball over Sonny Gray in a postseason game. He made this year’s American League All-Star team by going 10-3 with a 3.62 ERA and 106 strikeouts in his first 97 innings.

In 19 career games, Happ is 7-4 against the Boston Red Sox with a 2.98 ERA. The Yankees trail the Red Sox by 5.5 games in the AL East, and they have a four-game lead for the first AL Wild-Card berth.

Major league baseball