Yankees trade rumors: Marlins have shown an interest in Ivan Nova

Over the course of the offseason, the Yankees have been open to trading just about anyone, from Brett Gardner to Andrew Miller. The team has also shown an interest in trading Ivan Nova since all the way back in July when the Yankees discussed the possibility of trading him to the Reds for Johnny Cueto. The Yankees have had a difficult time finding any takers for Nova, despite the fact that Brian Cashman has attempted to build him up in the media by saying he thinks Nova is the most likely Yankee pitcher to throw 200-plus innings in 2016. That doesn't seem likely unless something goes terribly wrong though. Masahiro Tanaka, Nathan Eovaldi, Michael Pineda and CC Sabathia all have spots in the rotation locked up, and Luis Severino appears to have earned the fifth spot in the rotation thanks to his performance down the stretch last season. As the odd man out, Nova appears destined to start the year in the bullpen. That is, if Nova stays on the team. At long last, the Marlins are rumored to have shown an interest in acquiring Nova.

The Yankees first signed Nova as an international free agent back in 2004. He made his major league debut in 2010 and he's shown flashes of potential over the past six seasons. Yet he's struggled to pitch with any consistency from one season to the next. He had a stellar 2013 campaign, pitching to the tune of a 3.10 ERA and 3.47 FIP, then had the bad luck of requiring Tommy John surgery shortly after the 2014 season started. Nova struggled once he made his return last season, though to be fair, most pitchers recovering from TJ surgery struggle in their first season back. Still, Nova pitched poorly enough that Joe Girardi removed him from the rotation as the Yankees tried to gain ground in the division. He was almost immediately put back into the rotation after Tanaka suffered an injury running the bases, for lack of any other choice, and he finished the season with an ERA north of 5.00 and a 1.40 WHIP.

It is unclear what Miami would be willing to give up for Nova since his value isn't terribly high at the moment. Aside from the fact that he's coming off of a poor season, Nova will become a free agent following the 2016 season. If the Yankees want to net a decent return, they might need to throw some other players into a package to entice the Marlins into making a deal for one year of Nova. With Adam Warren and Chris Capuano gone, it wouldn't hurt to keep Nova around as the long man in the bullpen. Especially since the rotation consists of so many players who spent time on the disabled list last season. On the other hand, if the Yankees decide to trade him, Bryan Mitchell could take over the role of long reliever and spot starter.

Do you think the Yankees should deal Nova? Who would the Marlins give up in return?