With roughly four weeks separating the Yankees from the non-waiver trade deadline, the verdict is not yet in on New York’s inclination to become sellers, but stalling for time won’t keep opposing scouts away from their targets.
According to George King of the New York Post, scouts from the Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, and Washington Nationals traveled out west to Petco Park on Friday night with pronounced interest in Yankees’ relievers Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller, and Aroldis Chapman. But only two of the arms appear to be available, per the report:
“They are saying no on Miller,’’ a person with knowledge of the situation said. “But there is a lot of time left.’’
During the Yankees last homestand, Cubs’ pro scouting director Jared Porter was in attendance, but the attraction to ‘No-Runs DMC’ has only grown since, with both Texas and Washington taking numbers.
Contingent on New York’s receptiveness this July, Chicago remains as the sweepstakes’ frontrunner, but all three teams are leading their respected divisions, with a common requisite of improving back-end relief.
The trio of relievers have struck out a combined 165 batters in 94 innings this season, 20 more strikeouts than Dodgers’ ace Clayton Kershaw who has pitched in 27 more innings.
