If the Yankees plan on adding a pitcher this summer, a trade for Madison Bumgarner may not be so easy.
The 29-year-old left-hander submitted a no-trade list to San Francisco Giants comprising of eight teams, one of which is the Yankees, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Bumgarner, who is eligible to become a free agent in the offseason, has been rumored as a possible trade deadline chip as the Giants sit in last place 8.5 games out of the NL West lead.
However, just because the Yankees are on his no-trade list does not mean things could change.
Bumgarner's list is comprised of all contenders, which also includes the Red Sox, and Rosenthal states that there is a strategy for choosing these teams.
Players place contenders onto their no-trade list in order to gain leverage if a trade agreement is reached. Not because they have no desire in winning.
Bumgarner can waive his no-trade clause to any team if a competitive offer is on the table, but the Giants would have to convince the pitcher to do so. Players generally want some form of compensation for waiving their no-trade clause, according to Rosenthal.
Adding another arm into the starting rotation could be the Yankees' top priority by the July 31 trade, although they are not high on Bumgarner at the moment, according to SNY's Andy Martino, who says they prefer to add free agent pitcher Dallas Keuchel.
Regardless, the Yankees likely need to address their starting rotation in some capacity over the coming months.
Pitchers James Paxton and Luis Severino on the IL, although the former is expected to return by the end of the month while the latter is out until at least the All-Star break.
Domingo German has filled in nicely, but may not have the innings to last the entire season as a starter while CC Sabathia is 38 years old and will be closely monitored deep into the season.
If the Yankees are unable to sign Keuchel, they could shift gears and explore the possibility of adding Bumgarner.