Report: Blue Jays close to Happ trade; Yankees 'heavy in the mix'
The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly close to dealing their lone All-Star representative from this season.
Toronto appears to be on the verge of trading veteran left-hander J.A. Happ, according to a source of MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, with a second source telling Feinsand the New York Yankees are "heavy in the mix" for the 35-year-old on Wednesday.
Yankees still appear to be the leader in the race for J.A. Happ, but other teams remain engaged with Blue Jays. Brewers & Cubs still in play, though 1-2 more may also be in the mix. Toronto may not get its initial high asking price, but the heavy competition should benefit Jays.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 26, 2018
The Yankees have been linked to Happ for quite some time. The Blue Jays originally sought outfielder Clint Frazier or pitcher Justus Sheffield for Happ, reports Fancred's Jon Heyman, but Toronto's asking price was apparently higher at that time.
Heyman doesn't see the Yankees giving up that much for Happ, and the two teams are reportedly still talking. He lists the Milwaukee Brewers and Seattle Mariners as other interested Happ suitors, and suggests the Chicago Cubs may be pursuing the southpaw starter as well.
Happ is in the final year of a three-year, $36-million contract and is coming off his first All-Star appearance after a solid opening half. He was 10-6 with a 4.18 ERA, but has struggled in July (0-3, 7.41 ERA, 1.82 WHIP).
The Yankees acquired reliever Zach Britton from the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday.