The trade market in the realm of baseball is currently following a trend. More and more free agent hitters are currently in limbo due the fact that most teams are making some emphasis on pitching. The game has become a much of a "pitching-oriented game" as Boston Globe explained.
However, such notion posited by the said report does not mean that chance of a relief pitcher in particular being acquired immediately has doubled. For in recent events, relief pitcher Andrew Miller has become a subject of it, together with his price tag. According to the report by NJ, Millers asking price is quite too high, thus most likely dictating the pace of his move. Boston Globe also mentioned that;
"It's more likely that the Yankees will keep their uber-bullpen intact rather than trade Miller, according to a major league source. Teams like Houston and Toronto have inquired about Miller, but the Yankees want back a young top-of-the-rotation starter, and that doesn't appear to be available to them. Lance McCullers was the target in Houston, but he is off-limits. The Blue Jays would have to give up someone such as Marcus Stroman, and that's just not happening."
The said asking price for Miller may be seen to be as a strategy in order to hold on to Miller, especially when Brian Cashman, Yankees general manager, stated that they would likely hold on to player who saved "36 games and posted a 2.04 ERA in 60 appearances in his first season as the Yankees' closer," as NJ reported.
But despite the said idea of the Yankees holding on Miller, there are some reports stipulating that Aroldis Chapman would likely take over the CL role even if Miller sticks around for the Yankees. Thus making the stay of Miller still on the verge of being traded.
