The Yankees have grown tired of answering questions about the forthcoming non-waiver trade deadline, and while the inquiries appear to be vast, ownership has continued to give the same answer: not yet.
Although the definition of “yet” is up for interpretation, the likelihood of New York becoming sellers by late July isn’t out of the realm of possibility, and with contenders such as the Cubs, Nationals, Giants, and Dodgers looking to acquire back-end relief, general manager Brian Cashman should be listening to any team’s offers.
Including an archrival’s.
While a trade negotiation between the Yankees and Boston Red Sox may be considered sacrilege, Red Sox general manager Dave Dombrowski has already addressed the unwonted scenario, and it appears as if Boston would be open to trade talks as long as New York is, according to The Providence Journal.
“I know (Red Sox-Yankees) is a bigger storied rivalry, but I have made trades within our own division,” Dombrowski said. “They’re usually fewer and farther between — and the only time I’ve generally done that is when one club is in it and the other club is not. In that way, if they get the best return on their value, they don’t really care. If they’re in it and we’re in it, probably the odds are longer.”
In early February, the pair of general managers took part in a Q&A benefit at the NYY Steakhouse in Manhattan, with Dombrowski expressing openness to working with Cashman, even though the trade history between both clubs is brief.
“I’ve never been adverse to making a trade within the division,” Dombrowski told NJ.com in February. “But still it just generally doesn’t happen. And I’m not just talking about Yankees and Red Sox, I’m just talking about within your own division, if something lines up so perfectly for both clubs or secondly, when you get to the trading deadline and you’re in different places – one club is in it, the other club is not.”
And that scenario could very much be in full swing, if the Yankees receive considerable offers for Aroldis Chapman or Andrew Miller, as the Red Sox are in dire need of bullpen help. But don’t expect submissive negotiations — both teams have made only three trades since 1994.
