The New York Yankees are reportedly interested in trading starting pitcher Ivan Nova, according to ESPN The Magazine‘s Buster Olney, who cited rival executives Monday.
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Nova Next Player to Be Dealt by Yankees
Monday, July 25
After trading closer Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs on Monday, Nova is now the “next priority” to be traded, according to Mark Feinsand of New York Daily News.
“They’re focused on him,” a source told Feinsand. “They’re shooting high, but it’s early. … They know what the pitching market looks like right now, and they’re trying to capitalize on that.”
Orioles, Pirates Among Potential Landing Spots for Nova
Monday, July 25
A National League scout told Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media that the Yankees would probably only be able to get back “a mid-level prospect for Nova or a young piece already in the majors who maybe is a super-utility guy who can play infield and outfield,” adding that the Baltimore Orioles and the Pittsburgh Pirates would be a good fit for the right-hander.
Nova’s Impending Free Agency Hurts Trade Value
Indeed, because Nova will become a free agent after the 2016 season, it’s unlikely the Yankees will get a significant return for him in a trade, as he may simply be a rental. But for teams that are looking to bolster their rotation, he could be a nice addition as a fourth or fifth starter.
The scout added: “He is who he is. It’s tough counting on him because of how inconsistent he is, but I would like to be on that if the Yankees were thinking of moving Nova because I think he needs a change of scenery. I think he’s a really good fourth starter.”
Nova, 29, has indeed been inconsistent this year. Overall, he’s gone 7-5 with a 4.65 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 72 strikeouts in 93 innings pitched, but he’s been brilliant at times. In his first three starts, he gave up a total of just three runs over 16.1 innings. In his last four starts, he’s given up just seven runs in 23.2 innings.
In between, he gave up four or more runs in six of his seven starts. In June, he had 7.52 ERA for the month; in July, he’s sporting a 2.66 ERA. Suffice it to say, Nova’s season has been an up-and-down affair.
The Yankees season has been equally inconsistent, and the team finds itself fourth in the AL East and sixth in the wild-card standings. That has led to speculation that the team may sell before the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline, which will be fueled by the report that New York dealt closer Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs on Monday, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports and Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
That deal may be the first domino to fall in a pending Yankees fire sale, with players such as Nova potentially following Chapman out of New York.
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