According to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com , the New York Yankees look to be interested in making a trade that would give their starting rotation some much needed consistent depth.
The New York Yankees are among a few other teams interested in adding Mat Latos of the Miami Marlins, who is apparently being shopped. The other teams looking to acquire Latos include the Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays, and San Francisco Giants. Currently there does not seem to be a frontrunner.
Mat Latos, a right-hander, is 4-6 on the season in 15 starts with a 4.48 ERA. His record could be better with some run support, which the New York Yankees can provide for him. With seven years Major League Baseball experience, Mat is 64-51, pitching previously for the San Diego Padres and Cincinnati Reds.
The 27-year-old finished 10th in Cy Young voting in 2010.
Latos will be a free agent after this season. Currently he is signed to a one-year deal worth $9.4 million.
The pitching of the New York Yankees has been suspect at times this season, as they rely heavily on their dynamic bullpen, which may add Craig Kimbrel before the July 31 trade deadline. Lately Michael Pineda has been shaky, CC Sabathia has been unreliable, and Masahiro Tanaka’s health is up in the air. The New York Yankees could always use another strong arm.
Ivan Nova and Nathan Eovaldi round out the rotation being passable, but that’s all. Latos would add much depth, but it is unclear which pitcher would be taken off the rotation and sent to either AAA or the bullpen. Perhaps Saturday’s game with CC Sabathia on the mound will help determine their choice.
With the New York Yankees, Mat Latos could return to being one of the best pitchers in baseball, which he was just a few years ago.
With Latos only signed through the end of this season, he shouldn’t cost too much for the New York Yankees. Miami shouldn’t expect to net Luis Severino, Greg Bird, or Aaron Judge from this deal, but Gary Sanchez and a couple other lesser prospects may do the trick. It may not seem worth it, but with Latos the Yankees rotation would be transformed into a skilled and deep one capable of making a deep run in the playoffs.
Do you think the New York Yankees will make a transaction in order to acquire Mat Latos? If not, what other moves do you see the Yankees making before the trade deadline on July 31?
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