A set of five contenders are in the hunt for bullpen help, and they are reportedly looking to the New York Yankees to get it.
According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Cubs, Nationals, Giants, Dodgers, and Rangers would all have interest in acquiring one of the Yankees’ elite lefty relievers, Aroldis Chapman or Andrew Miller. Other teams would likely be in the mix as well if the Yankees made one or both available.
Rosenthal does not even rule out the prospect of the Yankees trading both relievers and signing a closer in the offseason.
The Yankees would have to feel that they are sufficiently out of contention on the August 1 trade deadline to think about making such moves. As things stand, they are 5.5 games out of the lead in the AL East and 3.5 behind in the wild card race. It would likely take an impressive prospect haul to make a move happen as well.
The Cubs’ interest has been reported before, but it’s no surprise that a lot of teams would be very interested in putting Chapman or Miller in their bullpens. Chapman is a free agent after the season, while Miller is signed through 2018.
