It’s no secret that New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman wants to upgrade his starting rotation during the offseason. And it’s no secret Cashman will call Scott Boras about former Houston Astros ace Gerrit Cole and 2019 World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg.
But what if Cashman zags, when everyone expects him to zig, by passing on free agency and pulling off a blockbuster trade for a top-of-the-rotation arm?
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand pitches the idea of a Yankees mega-deal with the Cincinnati Reds.
Reds trade Luis Castillo to Yankees for Deivi Garcia, Clint Frazier and J.A. Happ
Yankees GM Brian Cashman chose not to shell out big bucks for Patrick Corbin last offseason, opting instead to trade for James Paxton to fill a hole in the starting rotation. Cashman has dealt for the likes of Jeff Weaver, Javier Vazquez, Michael Pineda and Sonny Gray over the years, though none panned out as the front-line starter the Yanks had hoped for. Castillo falls into the same high-upside category as the aforementioned pitchers, having been selected to his first All-Star team in 2019, his third season in the Majors. The right-hander turns 27 next month, but he won’t be arbitration-eligible for another year, making him a huge value with four years of club control.
So why would the Reds trade him? Garcia has moved through the Yankees’ system quickly, and he is now their No. 1 prospect. He is on the verge of the Majors, and he could slot in as a long-term replacement for Castillo. Meanwhile, Frazier proved last season he can hit big league pitching, but he doesn’t fit on the Yankees’ current roster. He would give Cincinnati an offensive piece it needs, and he is under team control through 2023. Happ’s inclusion in a deal would accomplish two things: return an arm to the Reds that could take Castillo’s rotation spot and free up $17 million in payroll for the Yankees, allowing them to remain aggressive in free agency without fear of blowing past the second Competitive Balance Tax threshold. Happ has a $17 million option that vests if he pitches at least 165 innings or makes at least 27 starts, but if he hits those numbers, the Reds probably wouldn’t mind having him back, especially with Trevor Bauer headed for free agency next offseason.
The Yankees have several soft spots in their rotation heading into 2020. After all, CC Sabathia retired, Luis Severino missed most of the 2019 season and Domingo German is under investigation by MLB for domestic violence.
The 26-year-old Castillo was a first-time All-Star in 2019, setting career highs in wins (15), strikeouts (226) and innings pitched (190.2). Best of all, he’s cost-controlled through 2023, with three years of arbitration remaining before he reaches free agency.
Moving Frazier would be no big deal since the Yankees seem set in the outfield. Losing Happ would be no biggie either, as the southpaw struggled in 2019 (12-8, 4.91 ERA). Trading Garcia would hurt the farm system, but to get something, you have to give something, and Castillo’s upside is tremendous.
Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.