MLB trade rumors: Yankees to check out Blue Jays' J.A. Happ, get 1st-hand scouting report

by Felix Pantaleón

The MLB non-waiver trade deadline is July 31, 2018 (7/31/18). The Toronto Blue Jays might be willing to move left-hander J.A. Happ, who will make his next start on Saturday against the Yankees. General manager Brian Cashman is shopping for starting pitching. Also on the market are Texas Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels, Detroit Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer and Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Chris Archer.

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The Yankees are about to get a first-hand scouting report on Toronto Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ. That’s because he’s scheduled to make his next start on Saturday … against the Yankees. 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.

Opposing Happ on Saturday will be Yankees ace Luis Severino, who who threw 6.2 shutout innings in the Yankees’ 11-1 win over the Boston Red Sox on July 1st.

Yankees prospects A to Z

Happ is one of the best starting pitchers available before the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline.

Several teams, including the Yankees, will be looking to upgrade their starting pitching before the deadline.

Other names in consideration by playoff contenders (including the Yankees) are Texas Rangers southpaw Cole Hamels, Detroit Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer and Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Chris Archer.

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

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has made it known he is shopping for starting pitching. Masahiro Tanaka is coming back from a pair of bum hamstrings. Jordan Montgomery is out for the season because of Tommy John surgery. Sonny Gray is at the best unreliable and at the worst a complete disaster.

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.