Yankees Trade Rumors: Felix Hernandez Unlikely to Be King of New York

As the MLB trade deadline quickly approaches, New York Yankee fans may be growing restless  since the names linked to the team in trade rumors haven’t been quite elite. 

A second ace that the Yankees yearn to pair with CC Sabathia has not become available, adding further insult to injury from their failed off season attempt to put Cliff Lee in pinstripes.

Now that the Yankees have started their series with the Seattle Mariners, a few outlets like ESPN have wondered if a Yankees-Felix Hernandez era could ever arise.

Hernandez, the 25-year-old reigning AL Cy Young award winner, would be an arm that would likely cause Las Vegas to readjust their World Series odds for the Yankees, and help to alleviate the physical drain that has to be taking its toll on Sabathia. 

The reality of the situation is that despite the Mariners' 16-game losing streak and the Yankees' occasional inquiries about King Felix's availability, there are no indications the Mariners are ready to budge on a deal.

In fact, Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports have spoken to rival executives who are under the impression that Hernandez is off limits.

Although King Felix is 8-9 with a 3.49 ERA, the Mariners star would enhance the beleaguered rotation of the Yankees instantly. Sabathia pairing with Hernandez to coincide with any type of resurgence from Phil Hughes or A.J. Burnett would be a Bronx tale come true.

Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com speculated that perhaps a deal the Yankees could offer in an attempt to try to get Seattle to change their mind would be to offer one of their Double-A players such as Dellin Betances or Manuel Banuelos, plus Jesus Montero and any two other minor league starters not named Ivan Nova.

The Yankees are indeed on the clock to make a deal that will help to close the gap on the Red Sox and time is running out. Certainly the rumored talks with the Colorado Rockies for Ubaldo Jimenez and the Los Angeles Dodgers for Hiroki Kuroda are good ideas and either player would probably help the Yankees in their quest for a 28th World Series championship.

However, if Yankees general manager Brian Cashman can somehow make a big move for King Felix, such a move could be the difference of the Yankees playing in through October and into November.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/779822-yankees-trade-rumors-felix-hernandez-unlikely-to-be-king-of-new-york

Jon Sim Jason Arnott David Clarkson Patrick Davis Tyler Eckford Mark Fraser