The Yankees have checked in with teams across the game regarding trades, and there’s one area in particular the opposition has targeted: The relief unit.
“We’re going to continue to reinforce, and we’ve got a lot of teams asking about our bullpen at the same time,” general manager Brian Cashman told reporters at the MLB GM Meetings this week in Carlsbad, Calif. “It might be importing some. It eventually could be exporting others. Just a constant shifting of the sand so early in the winter.”
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It’s difficult to say if any Yankees relievers would be considered untouchable.
Cashman likely would be loathe to give up right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga, who broke out with a 2.17 ERA in 57 games last season. The 27-year-old righty struck out 69 batters in 70 2/3 innings and won’e be a free agent until after the 2024 season.
The Yankees likely wouldn’t hate trying to find a way to move closer Aroldis Chapman, who is entering the final year of his deal and is due $16 million. Chapman was brilliant to start the year but stumbled around the time the league began cracking down on sticky substances, and he also suffered an elbow issue. But Chapman has a no-trade clause. In 61 games, he posted a 3.36 ERA — his highest single-season mark since 2011. He had 30 saves, his lowest total since 2017 when he had 22.
Chad Green (3.12 ERA last year) has been solid for the Yankees, but he’ll be a free agent after season’s end. With Zack Britton (Tommy John surgery) expected to miss most, if not all, of the season, the Yankees will likely look to Green, Loaisiga and righty Clay Holmes (1.61 ERA) to handle the late innings. The club re-signed Joely Rodriguez (2.84 ERA) to a one-year, $2-million deal on Wednesday, and Mike King, Wandy Peralta and Lucas Luetge could also factor into key roles.
Green, Luetge, Albert Abreu and Nick Nelson stand out as possible trade candidates.
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Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com.
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