MLB trade rumors: Why Padres’ Brad Hand has value to Yankees, other contenders

The San Diego Padres are shopping reliever Brad Hand before the July 31, 2018 (7/31/18) non-waiver trade deadline. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman could be looking for bullpen help after seeing closer Aroldis Chapman struggle with a sore left knee over the weekend.

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It’s a foregone conclusion that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is shopping for a starting pitcher. New York has been linked to several available starters, including Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, Detroit Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer, Toronto Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ and Texas Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels.

It’s possible Cashman is also shopping for a first baseman, as Greg Bird struggles at the plate. The Yankees reportedly scouted Kansas City Royals infielder Mike Moustakas over the weekend.

After seeing closer Aroldis Chapman leave a game early this weekend with a sore left knee, it’s also possible Cashman is shopping for a reliever. Perhaps the best one on the market is San Diego Padres left-hander Brad Hand, who was named Sunday to the National League All-Star roster.

Hand knows his time in San Diego could be coming to a close. According to Spotrac, Hand is under team control through 2020, and his contract is quite reasonable, even when you take into account his signing bonus: $7.083 million for 2019, $7.583 million for 2020, and a team option for $10 million in 2021 with a $1 million buyout.

According to USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale, Hand knows his contract makes him quite valuable before the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline:

“You can look at it from both sides,” Hand said. “It’s like you signed a long-term deal to stay in San Diego or you just increased your trade value by adding more years of control.

“Obviously, I have more value now, because instead of teams having control of me for one year, now it’s possibly for three years.”

…

“Last year, I sat by my phone waiting to see what was going to happen,” says Hand. “My wife would ask me daily what was going to happen. You just have no idea. I’ve been talked about for a year and a half now, but I’m still here.

“I guess we’ll see how long it lasts.”

Yanks’ All-Star selections

Hand has 24 saves and a 2.91 ERA this season for the Padres, who are in last place in the National League West, 11.5 games behind the first-place Arizona Diamondbacks.

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