Heyman: Two 'dream trades' for Yankees' lefties Chapman, Miller

The concept of a mid-season sale may be uncharted territory to the Yankees, but until August 1, the trade rumors will keep coming. For the first time in nearly three decades, New York has only one month to determine its legitimacy in the American League's postseason race, a daunting uphill climb that appears to be too steep. But while the Yankees (35-36) fight for contention below the .500 mark in late June, a pseudo-rebuild could take place, for better, or for worse. In Thursday's edition of Inside Baseball, MLB insider Jon Heyman broke down eight "dream trade" scenarios that could occur around the league, two of which involved the Yankees, and its tandem of left-handed relievers: Aroldis Chapman to the Nats for Trea Turner. The Yankees will wait a month to see if they will get serious about a sale for the first time in nearly three decades. But if they do hold one, there will be a feeding frenzy over their two veteran closers, two of the very best in the game. The Nats could have used late-inning fortification even before Jonathan Papelbon went down with an intercostal injury, and Nats manager Dusty Baker is said to love Chapman from their Reds days together. Turner seems blocked at the moment by Danny Espinosa, who plays the defense Baker seeks and has 13 home runs, but Turner should be starting on the infield for someone now. While the Chicago Cubs have already begun to express interest in Chapman, the Washington Nationals have yet to reveal its interest, but due to veteran closer Jonathan Papelbon's absence, Washington has shown vulnerability in the bullpen, and a deal for Chapman could provide stability.

But a trade for one of baseball's elite closers will come at the expense of a top prospect, and in this case, it would be 22-year-old second baseman Trea Turner. Rated as the seventh-highest hitting prospect in baseball according to Baseball America, Turner has hit .292 in 67 games with Triple-A Syracuse, including 28 RBI and 22 extra-base hits. In the latter trade, Heyman mentions Andrew Miller, and a swap with a California contender: Andrew Miller to the Giants for RHP Phil Bickford, LHP Andrew Suarez and RHP Kyle Crick. The price tag for Miller will be enormous with two more years left at $9 million (that big deal for a non-closer looks quite reasonable now that Miller has shown himself to be one of baseball’s best closers), and the Yankees would prefer to talk to the Cubs, it seems, as they generally prefer their prospects. However, San Francisco loves Miller and would likely be more aggressive. Of course, it’s still far from certain the Yankees will become a serious seller for the first time in 27 years (they traded Rickey Henderson that summer). Unlike Chapman's contract status, Miller brings more security, as the 31-year-old is due roughly $18 million by 2018. But a return on Miller would be ample, and a trio of San Francisco's young arms could do the trick. Bickford, 20, was the 18th overall pick in the 2015 draft, and has struck out 82 batters in 66 innings at the Class-A level. Suarez, 23, has appeared in both Class-A and Double-A this season, combining for 59 strikeouts and a 4.43 ERA in 69 innings. The third piece, Crick, 23, also belongs in Double-A, but has earned a 1-5 record and 5.20 ERA in 53.2 innings.

A blockbuster trade can look appealing on paper, but negotiations for the two relievers will solely be contingent on the Yankees' inclination to move valuable pieces, a decision that will arrive sooner than later in the Bronx.