With just over a month before the non-waiver trade deadline (Aug. 1), it has not been decided if the Yankees will be buyers or sellers. The Yankees are back over .500 after Saturday’s 2-1 win over the Twins. The Yankees have won three straight and will go for the sweep of the Twins on Sunday.
If ownership gives Brian Cashman the green light to trade the Yankees’ assets, teams will be lining up with their best offers for RHP Dellin Betances, LHP Andrew Miller and LHP Aroldis Chapman. For all that is wrong in the Bronx, ‘No Runs DMC’ has been lights out this season.
According to a report from George King, the Cubs had three scouts on hand to watch Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman on Friday and Saturday.
Cubs’ pro scouting director Jared Porter and scout Steve Boros were at Yankee Stadium for the first two games with the Twins. And this visit from the Cubs’ scouts comes a couple of weeks after Jason Parks watched Betances, Miller and Chapman pitch during the second week of June.
George King explained “the Yankees are expected to dangle at least Miller and Chapman and certainly would listen on Betances.” The Cubs are one of several contenders looking to upgrade the bullpen. King thinks if the Yankees can “create a bidding war between the Cubs, Nationals and Rangers, it could result in a haul they can’t refuse.”
It’s believed the Cubs would like to acquire both a left-hander and a right-hander for the back of the bullpen. The Cubs are reportedly focused on adding a southpaw, one that can also pitch late in games and help Hector Rondon in the ninth inning.
The Cubs have been heavily connected to Andrew Miller for weeks this time around. Theo Epstein and the Cubs front office have a history with Miller. Epstein acquired Miller from the Marlins when he called the shots for the Red Sox.
Miller is under contract for two more years beyond this one at $9 million per year (total of $18 million left on the four-year, $36 million contract he signed in December 2014).
Chapman will become a free agent at the end of the season and is owed the remainder of his $11.325 million salary.
Betances is arbitration eligible for the first time next season and has three years of club control before he would become a free agent. Betances is being paid $507,500 this year.
Andrew Miller has appeared in 32 games this season and is 5-0 with seven saves, a 1.10 ERA and 0.61 WHIP. Miller has allowed five runs, four earned, on 17 hits. Miller has faced 120 batters in 32 2/3 innings this season and has 60 strikeouts and three walks.
Dellin Betances is 2-4 with a 2.97 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 37 games this season. Betances has allowed 15 runs, 12 earned, on 26 hits with eight walks and 66 strikeouts (141 batters faced) in 36 1/3 innings.
Aroldis Chapman is 1-0 with 15 saves (15-for-16), a 2.70 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. Chapman has given up seven runs, six earned, on 16 hits with three walks and 31 strikeouts. Chapman has faced 79 batters in 20 innings.
Nick Cafardo reported Saturday that the Yankees believe in their trio of relievers and could try to re-sign Aroldis Chapman. Right now, the Yankees have no reason to break up ‘No Runs DMC.’
The Cubs are doing their homework and will be prepared when teams are ready to start trading players.
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