Yankees trade idea swaps rookie for former Cy Young Award candidate

The New York Yankees could be on the hunt for starting pitchers at the trade deadline. Could they make a run at a former Cy Young Award candidate?

Yankees logo

The New York Yankees could be on the hunt for starting pitchers at the trade deadline. Could they make a run at a former Cy Young Award candidate?

Gerrit Cole has been out all season and Clarke Schmidt's season is also over. Luis Gil is working his way back, and Ryan Yarbrough could return soon as well. However, the Yankees could use a more reliable starter in their rotation. Dylan Cease could be on the market, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.

Cease is not having his best year and will be a free agent after this season. However, since 2021, he has a 3.67 ERA, and he has finshed top five in Cy Young Award voting twice. He was the runner-up in 2022. The Padres could look to move him, but they would need to be getting a player who can help them continue to contend this year.

The Padres need an upgrade at catcher, and upgrading at the trade deadline may not be ideal, but FanSided's Christopher Kline suggested the Yankees offer J.C. Escarra to the Padres in exchange for Cease.

Elias Díaz and Martín Maldanado both have a negative WAR this year. Escarra's opportunities on the Yankees are limited, thanks to Ben Rice and Austin Wells. However, Escarra is a great pitch framer and could have some upside offensively with more at-bats.

Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp

Even if Cease is not having his best year, he could be a solid option behind Max Fried, Carlos Rodón and Gil. When Yarbrough returns, the Yankees would not have to rely on Cam Schlittler or Marcus Stroman in October, at least not as starters.

More MLB: Red Sox-Phillies 3-for-1 trade proposal sends Jarren Duran to Philadelphia

Category: Baseball