Numerous players from a top ten farm system ... that is as specific as I'm gonna get.

"New York owns three of the best back-end relievers -- Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller, and Aroldis Chapman. But the Yankees are 31-33, and even with a decent next two weeks against poor teams, they could be in selling mode with the trade deadline six weeks away.

It might make sense for the Yankees to leverage one of their three big bullpen pieces for a haul of young prospects, essentially punting on the 2016 season but fortifying the coming years."

Leverage! My favorite word! My favorite word that has been misused by the corporate world and is now deemed meaningless.

Replace "leverage" with "trade" ... "It might make sens for the Yankee to trade one of their three big bullpen pieces for a haul of young prospects."


OF COURSE that makes sense. I would trade ANY PLAYER on the Yankees for a "haul of young prospects" who would "fortify the coming years."

Also, it might work. I'm not saying it wouldn't work. But who are the can't-miss prospects?


"Who would they trade? It seems Chapman would be most likely. He is on a one-year deal with the Yankees and will be a free agent at the end of this year. The Yankees probably won't retain his services anyway, so flipping him now could benefit them the most. Chapman is earning $11.325 million this year, a figure that likely wouldn't scare off the high-spending Nats."

Key phrase being "free agent at the end of this year."

Therefore, even if the Nats are high-spending, how many prospects are they going to relinquish for two months of saves?

Can Chapman guarantee the Nats a Championship?

Kinda how David Price guaranteed a Championship for the Blue Jays last year?


"By several counts, the Nats have a top-10 farm system, a pool of prospects they could part with to try to win their first World Series in franchise history. Will the Yankees take the plunge? It might be time." 

Top ten out of thirty.

By several counts.


It seems like Yankee fans and observers crave a clean break because it's psychologically important for them to cut bait on a losing season. Until July 31, it isn't going to happen, anyway.

Trade Chapman, get a few low-level prospects, re-sign Chapman after the season? I guess that would be ideal.

But I wouldn't expect much for a rental closer.