The Yankees Are Open To Trading Miller And That Won't Solve Anything

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Yankees GM Brian Cashman has signaled he’s willing to talk about just about anyone in trade, and while it’s a long shot, that apparently even includes star closer Andrew Miller.

Other teams say Miller’s name is out there a bit, though even they wonder how serious the Yankees are about it.

“We’re open to all ideas — as always,” Cashman said when asked about Miller. “It doesn’t mean I’d do anything but if the Dutch never asked the Indians for Manhattan you’d be living in New Jersey.”

Others suggest the price tag would be very high for Miller, whose first year in New York was nothing short of brilliant. The Yankees would want an ace pitcher or some other huge return sources suggest, to so much as consider it.

Nope, don’t like this idea at all. Yankee fans have been blessed to have a dominant closer since 1996 and right now we possibly have 2. Unfortunately, we’ve seen Betances struggle outside of the 7th and 8th innings since moving to the bullpen full time and I don’t have a ton of faith in him taking on that role. Don’t get me wrong – he has been lights-out in other situations but there’s something about the 9th inning that doesn’t seem to click. Last year alone he blew 4 of 13 save opportunities. Comparatively, Miller blew 2 of 38. Yes, we do have a great backup plan if something were to happen to Miller, but moving Miller isn’t the right idea.

In order for this team to get better, free agency won’t be the answer. There is too much money tied up in the current players (that Hal isn’t going to spend) until the current contracts come off the books. Another problem is that we have too many players. With all of these prospects that are close to Major League ready, and the veterans log-jamming their positions, there isn’t anywhere to put an Aaron Judge or Bird if everyone is healthy.  So where besides 2nd base would you sign someone to play? That is why the Yankees need to move some players, that aren’t Miller, to get some freedom.

The first player the Yankees should, and will, look to move is going to be Tex. Greg Bird has proven that he can play at the MLB level.  Sending him down so he can get to play every day would be a mistake. In the long run, Bird is the future first baseman of this team and if we’re thinking beyond 2016, then Tex needs to go; unless there’s a stud starter that can be had for Bird. Bird and Tex share an agent. I’ve heard that Tex is willing to waive his no trade clause for the right location and he’d prefer to go back to Anaheim.

The 2nd player that the Yankees should look to trade is Brett Gardner. He’s a valuable trade piece, thanks to the hometown deal he gave the Yankees. He signed an extension and could still be productive for a few years for another team. Combine that with his 2015 All-Star appearance and this may be the highest his stock has been/will ever be. In a lefty heavy lineup his ceiling is about the same as Ellsbury, but no one would take on Ellsbury’s deal. Moving Gardner to make room for a righty signing, or for Judge, makes sense. Plus, Gardner should be able to net the Yankees a major-league-level starter to sure up our questionable rotation.

At the end of the day our back-end of the pen is solid and the rotation is shaky. The fat that we can trim is in the field. If Cashman can turn some of that “fat” into young talent without weakening our biggest strength, then he’ll show that he can do more than just throw money at problems.

PS: We paid Drew and Capuano a combined $10 million last year. Imagine if that money went to a person who could play at an MLB level? Could be dangerous.