MLB trade rumors: Could Yankees' Brian Cashman deal for Nationals' Bryce Harper or Giants' Andrew McCutchen? Never say never

by Felix Pantaleón

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman might be looking for a bat before the July 31, 2018 (7/31/18) non-waiver trade deadline. Right fielder Aaron Judge (broken wrist) and catcher Gary Sanchez (groin strain) are on the disabled list. Could Cashman make a run at Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper or San Francisco Giants outfielder Andrew McCutchen?

The New York Yankees have a power problem. Yes, they lead the majors with 163 home runs this season. But two of their biggest bats landed on the disabled list this week. Right fielder Aaron Judge is out at least three weeks with a broken wrist. Catcher Gary Sanchez could be out until September with a groin strain.

General manager Brian Cashman has been busy before the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline, picking up reliever Zach Britton from the Baltimore Orioles and starter J.A. Happ from the Toronto Blue Jays.

9 Yankees observations

Should Cashman want to add a bat before the deadline, here are a couple of wild ideas. From The Athletics’s Jim Bowden:

If #Yankees decide to go get another bat via trade bc of Judge & Sanchez injuries here are some possible options: Moustakas, AJones, JMartinez, Choo, Duvall….oh & if #Nationals decide to sell….Murphy, Harper?

— Jim Bowden (@JimBowdenGM) July 27, 2018

The Yankees are expected to make a run at Harper after the season when he becomes a free agent. The idea of the Washington Nationals selling off Harper before the deadline had sounded ludicrous, until the team tanked this year.

Washington is 51-51, good for third place in the National League East and eighth place in the NL Wild Card standings. The Nationals expect Harper to walk after the season, and throwing in the towel over the next few days isn’t inconceivable, meaning Washington might try to sell off Harper to get something back for the 2015 National League MVP and reigning Home Run Derby champion.

Harper is hitting a career-worst .216 this season but is tied for the National League lead with 25 home runs.

But Cashman could have another option, per ESPN’s Buster Olney:

If the Yankees decide to add a temporary fix in Judge’s absence, an interesting name: Jose Martinez. He can flat-out rake and could be DH, with Stanton playing RF. Other market possibilities: Granderson, maybe Michael Taylor if Nats sell, maybe McCutchen if SF sells

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 27, 2018

McCutchen is another compelling option. The underperforming San Francisco Giants are 52-52 this season, putting them in fourth place in the National League West and sixth place in the wild card race.

McCutchen is in his first season with the Giants, after coming over in an offseason trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

McCutchen, the 2013 National League MVP, is hitting .257 with 10 home runs and 43 RBI this season.

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