MLB rumors: J.A. Happ to Yankees could hit snag thanks to familiar AL East foe

by Felix Pantaleón

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is shopping for starting pitching in free agency. He has gone on the record as saying he wants to re-sign left-hander J.A. Happ, who Cashman acquired before the 2018 non-waiver trade deadline in a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has gone on the record as saying he wants to re-sign free-agent left-hander J.A. Happ.

But Cashman will be facing some competition from an American League East foe for Happ’s services, per MLB Network’s Jon Morosi:

Free agent starter J.A. Happ has drawn interest from #BlueJays and #Yankees, sources say. Those are his two most recent teams. That is the mark of a consistent pitcher and respected teammate. @MLBNetwork @MLB

The irony here is that the Yankees acquired Happ from the Blue Jays before the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline.

Happ, fresh off his first career selection to the All-Star Game, made 11 regular season starts for the Yankees in 2018, going 7-0 with a 2.69 ERA.

The 36-year-old Happ is getting ready for his 13th season in the majors.

14 things learned at GM Meetings

NJ Advance Media’s Brendan Kuty talked with Cashman Monday at the GM Meetings in Carlsbad, Calif.

Here’s what Cashman had to say about bring back Happ and Brendan’s analysis:

What Cashman said: “He’s someone — we need pitching and he did a great job for us. Because he’s one of our own, it’s not surprising, have I talked to … his agent? Yes. Whether it leads anywhere, I couldn’t tell you. But since he’s one of our own, he checks obviously all the boxes. So I would think that there would be a lot of interest in him regardless.”

What he really said: Of course the Yankees are going to try to re-sign Happ. A couple weeks back, Cashman said in a radio interview that the Yankees would “love” to bring back the 36-year-old lefty. But Cashman was setting the stage for if Happ’s market goes out of control and someone else signs him for far more money.

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