MLB rumors: Cashman in the way, Mariners minds made up, sellers cash in, more

MLB Rumors: Brian Cashman holding up Yankees-Mariners trade

The New York Yankees have fallen to 55-49, dead last in the AL East and eight games out of first place. With postseason hopes fading, the Yankees are widely expected to spend big at the deadline to address their lack of offensive production. That is, unless New York decides to take the opposite approach.

As Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media notes, the cross-town Mets have already pulled the plug on 2023. The Mets owned the MLB’s highest salary sheet before the Scherzer trade; the Yankees are the second most expensive team in the league. If Brian Cashman and the front office decide the Yankees are better off pivoting toward next season, the Mariners have interest in one specific trade target: 2B Gleyber Torres.

From Miller:

"“According to the source, the Marlins have been pushing hard for Torres, but the Yankees’ asking price has been too steep for their liking — two 25-year-old starting pitchers, right-hander Edward Cabrera and lefty Braxton Garrett, plus two prospects.”"

The Mariners’ recent decision to sell could impact their pursuit of Torres, but the Yankees’ second baseman has been a target of Seattle for two years now. He’s a player that the organization covets and the Yankees could look to milk the Mariners’ farm system.

That said, the reported asking price from Cashman is borderline absurd. Torres is a talented bat with two All-Stars on his résumé, but 16 homers and 44 RBIs on .258/.323/.426 splits probably doesn’t warrant two quality starters on the mound and two prospects.

Edward Cabrera and Braxton Garrett are both highly regarded in Seattle and the Mariners won’t want to empty out their treasure trove of assets if the goal is to think long term. Torres can be retained via arbitration next season but he hits unrestricted free agency in 2025.