The Yankees should sell high on Andrew Miller, then resign Aroldis Chapman this offseason

Undecided on whether they will commit to being ‘buyers’ or ‘sellers’ at this year’s trade deadline, Brian Cashman and company pulled off the first major trade in the week leading up to the deadline on Monday. In a deal that works for both sides, Cashman and Cubs GM Theo Esptein agreed to a deal of Aroldis Chapman going to the Cubs in exchange for top prospect Gleyber Torres, fifth ranked prospect Billy McKinney, Adam Warren, and throw-in Rashad Crawford. After receiving that large of a return for what is essentially a two-month rental of Chapman (barring an extension) for the Cubs going all-in for a World Series ring, ESPN’s Buster Olney has since reported that the Yankees may now focus on fielding offers for their other dominant lefty, Andrew Miller. And with Chapman hitting free agency this season, and his expressed desire to potentially return in the winter, the Yankees should sell high on Miller, then resign Chapman this offseason.

Photo Via The Associated Press

Already, Miller has been linked to the Washington Nationals, Cleveland Indians, and Texas Rangers, amongst a myriad of other potential suitors for the big lefty. Miller’s dominance and two years left of the four-year $36 million dollar deal he inked in the offseason before the 2015 season will warrant a king’s ransom if a team wants his services. 

Photo via NY Sports Hub

After all, the Chapman deal set the market for Miller and others astronomically high – perhaps too high – according to Ken Rosenthal.

Nonetheless, all eyes are on the Chicago Cubs as they have since become the clear-cut favorites to win their first World Series in 108 years. I find it hard to believe teams looking to threaten the Cubs will stand-pat in wake of their statement move in acquiring the Cuban fireballer. If a team like the Nationals, Indians, Rangers, or anyone else looks to compete with the Cubs this year, they will ultimately meet the Yankees demands for Miller, even if it pains the front office of those clubs to do so.

The Royals reportedly asked for the top prospect in all of baseball in Lucas Giolito of the Nationals for closer Wade Davis, who is also as dominant as Miller and Chapman and is under team control through 2017. The Nationals made it clear that they were not giving up Giolito or Trea Turner (ninth ranked prospect in baseball according to MLB.com) for Chapman, but it is unclear if they would be willing to part ways with either one of them for Miller. At the end of the day, their current closer is Jonathan Papelbon, who just blew his third save of the season last night and as a result saw his ERA balloon to 4.18.

The most intriguing thing about a potential Miller trade is that it completely opens the door for the Yankees to actively pursue resigning Chapman this offseason. Chapman is obviously interested in returning already (see our piece published earlier today for more), and if the Yankees hand the remainder of Miller’s $18 million left on his deal to another ball club, combined with Mark Teixeira’s and Carlos Beltran’s contracts coming off the books, there’s no reason Cashman shouldn’t heavily consider a Chapman reunion in the winter.

Photo Credit: Julie Jacobson | AP

Cashman has already made some sneaky moves of late that appear to be aiming the Yankees toward having a plethora of young talent going forward. He flipped Brendan Ryan and Adam Warren for Starlin Castro, then reacquired Warren in addition to an abundance of young talent from the Cubs. If he could do the same with Miller by trading him to acquire a goldmine of young talent and top prospects, and then turn around and resign Chapman, he would have acquired top talent from the Cubs and another club, essentially just for the cost of Miller. In that case, many of the fans who tend to criticize Cashman would be eating their words and bowing down to the Yankees general manager.

Photo Via Bronx Baseball Daily

Now, most of this article is contingent on whether the Yankees commit to becoming sellers this year or not. With the recent hot streak, this may all be a moot point, and they may not seriously entertain offers for Miller. However, it’s an interesting possibility, and should be an idea that is already floating around in the minds of the Yankees front office. Ultimately, the Yankees would be foolish to not listen on calls for Miller, and it is in their best interest to deal him, only to sign Chapman this winter in order to field a young and exciting team in 2017.

Article by: Chad Raines

Follow me on twitter @Chad_Rain
Follow the BBB @BronxBomberBlog