Yankees rumors: 2 trade deadline deals to avoid, No. 2: Seth Brown, OF, Athletics
It’s easy to look at one of the worst teams in baseball and say, “They should trade this player since he’s their best option.” With the Oakland Athletics, it’s not easy, as they are a bad baseball team, even with their recent success. Not to mention that there aren’t many enticing options on the roster.
One name who has gotten trade buzz is outfielder Seth Brown. Last year, Brown was one of the team’s better hitters, slashing .230/.305/.444 while recording 25 home runs, 73 RBI, and 115 hits in 150 games played.
This year, however, Brown’s numbers are even less enticing for teams interested in adding an outfielder. Brown was limited to just 34 games due to an oblique strain, and he has posted a .195 batting average, a .266 on-base percentage, a .345 slugging percentage, four home runs, 15 RBI, and 22 hits.
The Yankees need a potent bat to add to their lineup to make up for players struggling like Anthony Rizzo, Giancarlo Stanton, and Josh Donaldson. Brown would only add to their struggles.
And let’s not forget about the failed recent trades the Yankees have made with the Athletics like Sonny Gray and Frankie Montas. The last thing a Yankees fan wants to see is a notification that the team made a trade with the Athletics.
Yankees rumors: 3 trade deadline deals to make, No. 2: Scott Barlow, RP, Royals
The Yankees do not have a consistent and reliable closer in their bullpen right now. Adding one via the trade deadline is an obvious move for the team to make. But, there aren’t many realistic options.
Alexis Diaz of the Cincinnati Reds? High asking price and it’s unknown if the Reds will trade him, considering they are in playoff contention. Liam Hendriks of the Chicago White Sox? Well, it appears the White Sox are planning on flipping players on the final year of their contracts at the trade deadline. Aroldis Chapman of the Kansas City Royals? No. The way the Chapman era ended in New York, a reunion isn’t happening.
When it comes to the next best option, it is Chapman’s teammate on the Royals, Scott Barlow.
Last year, Barlow recorded a 2.18 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, a 7-4 win-loss record, 77 strikeouts, and 22 walks, while converting 24-of-28 save opportunities in 69 games played.
This year, the Royals are a much worse team, competing with the Oakland Athletics for last place in the entire American League. With that, saving opportunities were rare for Barlow. One area of concern was his ERA nearly doubling from last year at 4.21. But, he has recorded 36 strikeouts and 13 walks, while converting seven of eight save opportunities.
Barlow should be on the Yankees’ radar at the trade deadline. Or, they run the risk of not having a quality option down the stretch and having to go with the “pick a name out of a hat” approach, which wasn’t ideal when looking at how that strategy worked out with the shortstop position last postseason.