Yankees Trade Rumors: New York Offered Top Prospect For Manny Machado, Still Pursuing Other Rentals

The New York Yankees missed out on the Manny Machado Sweepstakes, but not for a lack of trying. Before the Los Angeles Dodgers sent the Baltimore Orioles five minor-leaguers in exchange for the All-Star shortstop, the Bronx Bombers reportedly put together a trade package that included one of their top prospects.

According to SNY’s Andy Martino, the Yankees were willing to trade a “Chance Adams/Albert Abreu type” and Brandon Drury for Machado. Abreu and Adams are both right-handed pitchers that rank third and fourth, respectively, in New York’s farm system, per MLB.com.

Drury, 25, has spent much of the year in the minors because of the emergence of third baseman Miguel Andujar. He posted a .764 OPS in 135 games for the Arizona Diamondbacks last year and is still viewed as a valuable big-league player.

New York’s offer for Machado is interesting to note since the team is, once again, engaging in serious trade talks with Baltimore about an All-Star caliber player that’s not signed beyond the 2018 MLB season. The Yankees have turned their attention toward closer Zach Britton, whom the Orioles are looking to unload before he heads elsewhere as a free agent this winter.

Machado is set to hit free agency, but the Yankees almost certainly would’ve tried to sign the infielder to a lucrative, long-term deal. Britton is much more likely to be a rental, considering New York will look to spend money in other areas next offseason.

The bullpen is the Yankees’ strength. New York’s relievers have the best combined ERA in all of MLB. Closer Aroldis Chapman is set to make over $17 million next season. David Robertson is in need of a new deal and Dellin Betances is due for a raise in arbitration.

The Yankees could throw big money at Machado, Bryce Harper or a top starting pitcher when the season concludes. But the market for elite hitters and starting pitchers is a weak one in the days leading up to the July 31 trade deadline, forcing New York to consider giving up valuable assets for the best reliever available.

New York is one of the top 2018 World Series contenders, though they might need to make an upgrade in order to compete with the Boston Red Sox. Despite being on pace to win 104 games, the Yankees are six games out of first place in the AL East.

Does that mean the Yankees will give up an elite prospect for a reliever that could be gone in three months? New York can reportedly acquire Britton by giving up No.1 prospect Estevan Florial. That’s unlikely to happen, considering they reportedly wouldn’t trade No.2 ranked prospect Justus Sheffield in exchange for Machado.

The Houston Astros might be the Yankees’ biggest competition for Britton. Houston beat the Yankees in seven games in the 2017 ALCS, and they are on their way toward winning another AL West title.

Toronto Blue Jays’ starting pitcher J.A. Happ is another free-agent-to-be that the Yankees are pursuing. According to Martino, Toronto is no longer seeking a top-three prospect for the veteran.