Odds of the New York Yankees Acquiring Players on the Trade Market

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In this slideshow, I will discuss whether or not the New York Yankees have a shot at some of these players who are on the market right now.  I will try my best to name and predict the odds for the most relevant players.  For some, I may not name the prospects who would be involved in such a trade, but that could be done in a later article if a pitcher is connected to the Yankees. 

Hunter Pence

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Odds: 0.0001 percent

I cannot really ever rule something like this out.  Take a look at the 2010 deadline, when the Yankees acquired Lance Berkman from the Houston Astros.  I know that I was not expecting that at all.  Something like this has a very slim chance of happening because the Yankees have a stellar production coming from the outfield.  I would not waste several top prospects on Hunter Pence, as there are greater concerns for New York.

Carlos Beltran

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Odds: One percent

I only gave Carlos Beltran a slightly higher chance of being a Yankee because of the fact that Brian Cashman already inquired about Beltran.  It has become apparent that Sandy Alderson would need to get Jesus Montero and more.  I would not do this because outfield production is of little concern right now for the team.

Carlos Pena

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Odds: 15 percent

Carlos Pena seems like a very intriguing name.  The Chicago Cubs are looking to deal, and this type of trade would greatly remind me of the Lance Berkman deal from last year, since it would be unexpected.  But, I think that it could take a great deal of prospects.  Since May, Carlos Pena has hit the second most homeruns in MLB, only trailing Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Mike Adams

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Odds: Five percent

I do not really think that this type of trade could happen unless the San Diego Padres bring down their asking price.  The Yankees have already inquired, and Brian Cashman has not shown any more interest in Adams.

Heath Bell

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Odds: Two percent

I do not think this deal has as good a chance as a Mike Adams trade because it would require even more prospects, since Heath Bell is a premier closer. The Yankees already have a washed up eighth inning closer in Rafael Soriano. I would not try out another one.

James Shields

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Odds: Zero percent

I would not have given this type of deal any shot anyway because Shields is part of a competitive Tampa Bay Rays team in the division.  Plus, Tampa Bay spurned Brian Cashman.  It is no.

Jeremy Guthrie

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Odds: Five percent

The Yankees have inquired about Guthrie and have not completely rejected the idea of trading for him.  I could potentially see this happening as a three way deal so that the Baltimore Orioles do not have to directly trade with the Yankees. It would be a last resort, though, because I do not really love Guthrie.

John Danks

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Odds: 10 percent

I would love this deal because Danks is a 26 year old lefty.  He is pitching well and has pitched superbly in the past.  Danks is exactly the type of No. 2 starter the Yankees need.  The problem is that there is a commitment long-term with Danks, so the Yankees would need to probably give up one top level prospect, like Jesus Montero.

Edwin Jackson

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Chances 30 percent

This has a good chance of happening, as Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports that the New York Yankees scouted Edwin Jackson this past weekend. They are keeping tabs on some of these more solid starters in case they cannot pick up an ace at the deadline. I would be all for a Jackson deal, as opposed to nothing at all.

Mark Buehrle

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Odds: Two percent

I was unaware of the fact that Mark Buehrle would most probably not waive his no-trade clause when I wrote my article about Chicago White Sox pitching. I do not see this happening anymore, but who knows if the deadline changes Buehrle's mind.

Gavin Floyd

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Odds: One percent

I do not really see this happening and would not really even be excited if it did happen. Do not get me wrong; Gavin Floyd is a good, solid pitcher. The problem is that he almost always hovers around a 4.00 ERA, which is not what the Yankees need right now.  No thank you.

Jason Marquis

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Odds: Seven percent

Again, do not get me wrong, as Marquis is a solid pitcher. He just is not someone the Yankees would need right now, as he has around a 4.00 ERA in the NATIONAL LEAGUE.  He has not proven himself to be a good AL pitcher, so I would not take a risk on a guy like this.  I could only see a deal like this happening since the Yankees are talking to the Washington Nationals about the guys in the next few slides.

Tyler Clippard

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Odds: Two percent

I do not see a trade for Tyler Clippard even being possible. The Washington Nationals have no reason to move this great young reliever who is a former Yankee.  Plus, the Yankees would need to give up a top level prospect or very good one in order to pick up a righty reliever.  This is a position the team does not necessarily have to improve. They need to look at a LOOGY right now.

Sean Burnett

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Odds: 50 percent

Welcome to the LOOGY aisle!  These next three slides will focus on these lefty relievers. I could totally see a trade for Sean Burnett working in the Yankees favor.  He is a solid lefty-on-lefty pitcher and would be the type of guy the Yankees need.  Mike Axisa of the River Ave. Blues reported earlier this month that the Yankees scouted Burnett and have a level of interest in him.  

Grant Balfour

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Odds: 10 percent

There has not been any reported level of interest in Oakland Atheltics lefty reliever Grant Balfour, but the Yankees could end up getting him.  The team happens to be talking to the A's about another lefty (next slide), which could lead them to deal for Balfour. If the Yankees are truly looking to fill the spot for a left-handed relief pitcher, Balfour is their guy.

Craig Breslow

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Odds: 20 percent

Mike Axisa of the River Ave. Blues reported Sunday that the Yankees are scouting Craig Breslow and have expressed interest in him.  He is a solid lefty, no doubt, but I would honestly prefer Balfour. I have to give a Breslow deal more odds of happening because the Yankees are actually interested in him.

Randy Choate

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Odds: 20 percent

The Yankees have expressed interest in Randy Choate during the offseason as a LOOGY they could sign.  Choate is the perfect type of reliever for facing lefty hitters, and the Yankees have shown interest in him all along.  Could a reunion in the Bronx be coming soon?

Clayton Kershaw

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Odds: Zero percent

I just wanted to shoot away the idea of acquiring Kershaw. It would not happen in a million years. I have heard some people claim that the Los Angeles Dodgers are going to trade away their prized pitcher because they will have to cut down on payroll. Take a look at how small of a contract Clayton Kershaw has, and you will see that the Dodgers have bigger contractual concerns in players like Matt Kemp, Andre Eithier, Rafael Furcal, Jonathon Broxton, Casey Blake, Manny Ramirez, etc.  Yeah, they still have to worry about Manny's mammoth contract.  

Hiroki Kuroda

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Odds: 30 percent

I actually see this as happening now.  Everyone always points out the fact that Hiroki Kuroda has a no-trade clause and will not accept a trade to an East Coast team like the Yankees.  No one takes into account the fact that he is on a horrible team and probably wants to win. Plus, this whole no-trade clause theory is just a theory. There have never been confirmed reports about Kuroda even rejecting a trade to an East Coast team, so there is uncertainty about a trade like this, not doubt.  

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Yankees are still pursuing Kuroda. Jon Morosi of FOX Sports furthers that Los Angeles Dodgers GM, Ned Colletti, never approached Kuroda about waiving his no-trade clause. It is true that he still might not waive it, but it has not been shown that he certainly would not.

Wandy Rodriguez

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Odds: 50 percent

I could definitely see a trade for Wandy Rodriguez being possible. The Yankees and Houston Astros were trade partners last year, as Brian Cashman pulled off a blockbuster deal for Lance Berkman. 

Rodriguez could be taken for a smaller amount of prospects, as several teams are not very hot on his value on the market. The price for Rodriguez could go down by the time of the trade deadline.  The Yankees are even interested, as Jon Heyman reports that the Yankees scouted Wandy this weekend.  

We will see what happens with Rodriguez as the deadline approaches, but there could be pressure from the new ownership in Houston to decrease payroll for next year. This can happen by trading Rodriguez, as it will be close to impossible to trade Brett Myers and his overpaid contract.

Heyman also reports that the Astros could be willing to pay off half of the contract if Rodriguez is traded. This could work, it just might.

Ubaldo Jimenez

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Odds: 10 percent

I do not seem to think that this will work unless the Colorado Rockies bring down the price for Ubaldo by the deadline. The Yankees might be willing to trade two of the following: Jesus Montero, Manny Banuelos or Dellin Betances.  They might also add Adam Warren to a deal, as he is showing off his skills this weekend against the Baltimore Orioles.

Felix Hernandez

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Odds: One percent

Nah, probably is not going to happen, even though it should.  The Seattle Mariners are not going to win with Felix Hernandez, so they should try to get the most value for him. There offense is just terrible, so they need to focus more on that aspect, as they cannot even win with one of the best, if not the best, rotation in the AL. Oh well, get 'em next time, I guess.

COMMENT!!!!

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Comment on what your own odds are. If I left anyone out of the list, please feel free to leave a comment.

Prospect Alert!

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If you are a Yankees fan and are hoping for a solid trade to happen this trade deadline, look at the guy on this slide. Adam Warren will be pitching against the Baltimore Orioles.  Who knows, if he pitches well this weekend, it could be a good enough showing to get him out of town and bring in a solid starter.  If he is not traded, maybe Warren will even benefit the rotation this season. Either way, it is a win-win situation.