With winter meetings now underway, the trade rumors are starting to swirl even more heavily than before. The Yankees have been quiet outside of their trade for outfielder Aaron Hicks of the Twins, but there have been several names thrown around on the roster that may end up in different uniforms next season; one of them being closer Andrew Miller. Joel Sherman provides his own speculation as to who could be a fit for Miller if he is indeed dealt this offseason.
This is MY speculation but have wondered if #Nationals are spot for Andrew Miller. Have young SP like Lopez or Fedde plus Danny Espinosa
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 6, 2015
GM Brian Cashman has not ruled out any ideas for the offseason, but trading Miller will require a big haul in return. Sherman speculates that the Nationals would most likely have to part ways with one of their top starting pitching prospects in 21-year-olds Erick Fedde or Reynaldo Lopez.
Fedde, a first round pick out of UNLV in the 2014 draft, throws a fastball in the mid-90’s with a power slider, with a change-up that has upside. He is a projected number two starter. In the minors this past season, he pitched to a 5-3 record including a 3.38 ERA in 64 innings pitched.
Lopez has some heat to his fastball as well, touching 98 on several occasions. His curveball and change-up have come along since being drafted, and has the upside to be a projected number two starter (per John Sickels). Lopez went 6-7 last year with a 4.09 ERA in High-A ball, but has a career ERA of 3.13 in the minors.
The other possible chip in the trade could be Danny Espinosa, who is a second baseman. The Yankees have been said to have talked with the Cubs about the potential deal involving Starlin Castro for a second baseman, but those talks never surfaced. Espinosa is a .230 career hitter, including a .240 clip last year with 13 homeruns. The Yankees have been rumored to like what they have in a platoon with Rob Refsnyder and Dustin Ackley, but adding depth is an idea the team may look into.
While talks between the two teams have not yet surfaced, a deal of this nature may be a starting point if the Yankees are indeed willing to deal their star closer.
