MLB trade rumors: Blue Jays' J.A. Happ atop Yankees' wish list?

by Felix Pantaleón

The MLB non-waiver trade deadline is July 31, 2018 (7/31/18). Detroit Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer, Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Chris Archer, Toronto Blue Jays lefty J.A. Happ and Texas Rangers lefty Cole Hamels are the best arms on the trade market. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is shopping for starting pitching before the deadline, with concerns over Masahiro Tanaka and Sonny Gray.

It’s no secret Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is shopping for starting pitching. Espcially with injuries to Masahiro Tanaka and Jordan Montgomery, plus the wild inconsistencies from Sonny Gray.

One of the best pitchers on the trade market is Toronto Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ.

According to Fancred’s Jon Heyman, Happ could be heading to the Bronx before the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline:

Yankees are a main player for ja happ, perhaps the main player at this point. He’s at/near top of their list. #jays

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 3, 2018

The Yankees are about to get a first-hand scouting report Happ, because he’s scheduled to make his next start on Saturday … against the Yankees, when New York visits Toronto this weekend for a three-game series at Rogers Centre.

Happ last pitched on Sunday, getting roughed up by the Detroit Tigers, giving up seven runs on 10 hits in 5.2 innings of work.

Before that stinker, Happ had been on a roll, going 3-0 in five June starts with a 3.16 ERA. He struck out 27 batters last month in 31.1 innings of work. For the season, Happ is 10-4 with a 4.03 ERA in 17 starts.

Cashman and the Yankees have been linked to several starting pitchers on the trade market, including Texas Rangers southpaw Cole Hamels, Detroit Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer and Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Chris Archer.

9 immediate concerns for Yankees

There would also be a huge market for Jacob deGrom and/or Noah Syndergaard if the Mets hold a fire sale.

Cashman has already said he has no plans to trade Gleyber Torres for pitching. He is also reluctant to use Clint Frazier to upgrade the starting rotation.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.