Yankees trade rumors: New York has inquired about Yu Darvish and Giancarlo Stanton

After swinging a trade that brought David Robertson, Tommy Kahnle, and Todd Frazier to New York, Brian Cashman hasn’t slowed down his pursuits of other pieces to help the Yankees. The bullpen issues look to be solved with the addition of two very good relievers, but there is still work to be done to get this roster to the playoffs.

Cashman has been pursuing a starting pitcher for the team after the loss of Michael Pineda to Tommy John surgery. Sonny Gray of the Athletics seems to be Cashman’s preference, as he has years of team control remaining before hitt

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Yankees potential trade target: Alternatives to Sonny Gray

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ing free agency. Jon Heyman reported that the A’s named their price for the Yankees to acquire Gray late last week. Oakland scouts have since been on hand to see the Yankees’ Double-A and Low-A teams in action.

Yu Darvish is believed to be an asset hitting the trading block very soon as the Rangers continue to hover around .500. At just 2.5 games back of the Wild Card, it’s no guarantee that the Rangers actually sell, especially working on a three-game winning streak at the moment. They will need to decide quickly what their plan of action is.

Cashman would obviously be interested if Darvish does become available, but the price is still going to be high. As an impending free agent, Darvish wouldn’t command the same type of package necessary to get Gray, most likely, which may prove to be more in the team’s budget. New York did send a scout to see Darvish pitch against the Rays over the weekend.

Heyman also notes that the Yankees have called to check on Braves starter Jaime Garcia, who was set to be sent to the Twins before the deal crumbled. He notes that the Yankees don’t want to trade Clint Frazier, Gleyber Torres, or Justus Sheffield, which may keep them out of the running for Gray or Darvish. A package of lower tier prospects for Garcia might be more their speed, even if he represents less of a boost for the rotation than the other options.

The surprising news on the Yankees’ front involved a Heyman report that the Yankees called about Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins, who may be nearing the end of his time in Miami as the change of ownership gets closer. How serious they were about their inquiry is unknown, and Jim Bowden says it never happened (for what that’s worth), but adding another outfielder to the mix is probably not the highest priority right now. It’s nice to dream of Stanton and Aaron Judge bashing home runs in the Bronx, though.

One piece of business the Yankees were able to complete, however, was sending Rob Refsnyder to Toronto for first baseman Ryan McBroom. Refsnyder was designated for assignment last week in the fall out from the White Sox trade, so swinging a trade with the Blue Jays prevented the Yankees from losing him for basically nothing. McBroom will report to Double-A Trenton. He was previously listed as the Blue Jays’ 30th best prospect.