The Yankees have reportedly maintained their interest in trading for one of the A’s two quality starters on the trading block in Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas, and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic believes the Yanks can strike a deal for one of them without parting with hyped infield prospects Anthony Volpe or Oswald Peraza.
“My expectation is no. I would think you could put a package together without including one of those guys,” Rosenthal told Ryan Ruocco and CC Sabathia on the latest episode of R2C2. “I would imagine Oakland is going to be pretty adamant about wanting one of those two kids. They have Elvis Andrus at shortstop, who is at the end of his career. I just don’t know how that would play out.”
Oakland appears to be in the midst of a fire sale, and with Domingo German moved to the 60-day IL with a shoulder injury, the Yankees have even more uncertainty behind Gerrit Cole in the rotation. Starting pitching is clearly an area of need, and with Brian Cashman and Billy Beane’s longtime relationship and trade history, the two sides could get a deal done. Of course, the concern on the Yankees side would be parting with Peraza or Volpe, who they clearly have strong belief in after declining to go after a big-name shortstop in free agency. Rosenthal believes anything can happen, including a deal for Manaea or Montas with a package that doesn’t include either prospect.
“I would expect the Yankees do everything possible to preserve both of them and retain their flexibility going forward,” Rosenthal said. “Maybe both become stars for the Yankees. Maybe one gets traded for an even bigger pitcher than Frankie Montas.”
One thing that Rosenthal is very confident about is that both Manaea and Montas will be in different uniforms by the end of July.
“I do expect Manaea to be moved before the start of the season,” Rosenthal said. “Montas, I’m not as sure about.
“It seems that the A’s are kind of staggering this a little bit…do I expect both to be moved by the trade deadline? I’d say that’s a safe assumption.”
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