Could Yankees Use Betances As Trade Bait? [AUDIO]

Buster Olney on Possibility of Yankees Trading Betances:

The Yankees have one starting pitcher (Ivan Nova) out for the year and another who’s return date is still unknown (C.C. Sabathia). Every week, the Yankees trade rumors continue to ramp up and most recently, reliever Dellin Betances has been thrown out there as a possible option.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they were to listen, “said Buster Olney, on 104.5 The Team. “First off, the question is going to be if other people see him as a reliever, what kind of return would you get from that?”

New York started their investment in Betances in 2006 by selecting him in the eighth round of the MLB Draft. It’s been a journey, but now in 2014, Betances has established himself as an effective arm out of the bullpen with 22 appearances and a 1.47 ERA.

At 26 years old, the future looks bright for Betances as he could be used in a larger role looking ahead, which brings further doubt that the Yankees would want to let go of him.

FULL PODCAST: Buster Olney with Armen and Levack on 104.5 The Team

“[The Yankees] haven’t started negotiations with David Robertson who’s a free agent in the fall,” said Olney. “It might be that the Yankees say, ‘You know what, he’s so important to our bullpen going forward and we’d rather have him being closer at a cheaper price than paying David Robertson what he’s going to get that they would just assume hang onto him.”

Betances has really found himself this year, particularly using a newly established slurve pitch that has aided in him striking out 14.97 hitters per nine innings.

Buster Olney joins Armen and Levack every Thursday at 5:15p on 104.5 The Team.