There are certain parts of the baseball calendar that bring predictable happenings. One is next week’s amateur draft, which begins Monday and ends Wednesday.
Historically, after that draining exercise, trade talks increase. And when they do, several voices throughout baseball expect the Yankees to prioritize starting pitching as an area to upgrade.
“They need another starter,’’ said a talent evaluator who has scouted the Yankees’ minor league system heavily this season, and who also acknowledged there are Yankees pitchers and position players who would interest other clubs.
That assessment was made before Masahiro Tanaka jumped off the disabled list Wednesday in Seattle and threw a gem at the hitting-challenged Mariners in a 3-1 victory.
With the AL East title likely in play all summer long, because of the various warts on each team, it is believed throughout the industry the Yankees will be aggressive in order to avoid a third straight dark October.
There are other places that require an upgrade: Second base, shortstop and right-handed relief immediately come to mind. Jose Ramirez is on the list of internal options until the market for right-handed relievers who can pitch in front of Dellin Betances defines itself.
Yet just because Tanaka gave up one run, three hits, didn’t walk anybody and fanned nine Mariners doesn’t mean he is going to avoid further health problems that have plagued him since early last July. He has been a Yankee for eight months worth of games and has missed more than three of them with right-arm problems. And Tommy John surgery continually hangs over the right ulnar collateral ligament he injured last year.
Though the Yankees are encouraged about Ivan Nova beginning a minor league rehab program, he is about 11 months from Tommy John surgery and the usual recovery time is 12 to 18 months. Can the Yankees bank on Nova being a factor in the second half?
Among the list of possible trade candidates, Cole Hamels and Johnny Cueto are the best.
Hamels is owed $73.5 million beginning next year, and if the Yankees aren’t prepared to part with Luis Severino or Aaron Judge — or both — they might not have the talent to land the talented left-hander. Or be willing to pay a 31-year-old that type of money for the next three years.
Cueto is more affordable — $15 million this season before becoming a free agent — but the Reds’ price tag is expected to be high.
“I would expect Walt [Jocketty, Reds general manager] to be looking for multiple good prospects and a player ready to play in the big leagues right now,’’ an official with an NL team said.
Also possibly available are Philadelphia’s Aaron Harang, the Reds’ Mike Leake, the Brewers’ Kyle Lohse and the Marlins’ Dan Haren. All are free agents after the season. However, are any of them better than what the Yankees have?
Then there is Severino, the Yankees’ best pitching prospect, who recently was elevated from Double-A Trenton to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, which is one step away from the big leagues.
“I have no idea,’’ Yankees GM Brian Cashman said when asked if Severino will reach the big leagues this year. “The game tells you.’’
“I like him a lot. I put him down as a No. 2 starter,’’ said a scout who recently saw the 21-year-old Severino pitch. “He has a fastball, slider and changeup and all three have a chance to be plus pitches. He can get the fastball to 96, 97 mph easy.’’
