Some teams around MLB believe the New York Yankees will eventually place one of their most talented starting pitchers on the trade block before this year’s deadline.
The 2023 season has gotten off to a frustrating and injury-filled start. Entering their Friday night matchup with division-leaders the Tampa Bay Rays, the New York Yankees are 21-18 and reside at the bottom of a strong American League East.
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The team has been hampered by injuries to several star players like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. However, their rotation has been at half speed all season as big-ticket free-agent addition Carlos Rodon, and team veteran Luis Severino have yet to make a start in 2023. While their $162 million man Rodon has taken heat from Yankees fans, there is still hope he can deliver them back to the top of the division once he returns.
But seven-year veteran Luis Severino has a long built-in history of frustrating New York fans. The 29-year-old has made only 26 starts since 2019, after making two straight All-Star teams and looking like he would be the team’s ace for the next decade.
New York Yankees record (2023): 21-18
This season, a strained lat has kept him off the roster but he has begun to make rehab starts and seems bound for a return to the Bronx in the coming weeks. However, his starts back in a New York Yankees uniform could actually be showcase games to improve his trade value before the Aug. 1 trade deadline.
On Thursday, ESPN MLB insider Buster Olney spilled a little tea about rumblings around the league when it comes to the New York Yankees and players they could ship off before the deadline.
“The Yankees have bullpen pieces to offer [on the trade block], but another name mentioned by rival execs is that of Luis Severino, who is currently recovering from a right lat strain. He would have to pitch in big league games and demonstrate he is healthy, but if that happens and the Yankees decide to trade him, Severino could have value.”
-Buster Olney
It will be interesting to see what the Yankees do come August. They have never been a franchise that aims to be sellers at the deadline, and if they are back in the thick of the division race and Severino is key in that improvement, it would be surprising if they did move him.
Nevertheless, ending what has been a very frustrating relationship the last few years makes sense for New York as well.