MLB trade rumors: Nationals willing to trade Lucas Giolito to Yankees for Andrew Miller

The Nationals are willing to offer right-hander Lucas Giolito in a straight-up swap for Yankees reliever Andrew Miller, according to report from MLB.com’s Jon Morosi. FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman adds that the Yankees would not be willing to do the proposed 1-for-1 swap.

As we enter the last 72 hours before the trade deadline, teams are sent into crunch time to make moves. Earlier this month, the Yankees dealt their 102 mph-slinging closer, Aroldis Chapman, to Cubs in exchange for a package headlined by top shortstop prospect Gleyber Torres. After the departure of Chapman, many speculated on the likelihood of the Yankees dealing the rest of what once was their “No Runs DMC” bullpen. Miller is one of the most lusted after relievers (and players) at this year’s trade deadline. The lefty has struck out 77 batters in 45.1 innings and has a nasty slider. It’s understandable why the Yanks err on the side of caution now to deal him.

Miller boasts an 11-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio: the eight highest among relievers in this decade. Without a doubt, could Miller be the final brick that lays the Nationals a path to a World Series title, as the club is said to be aggressively pursuing late-inning bullpen help.

Giolito, the Nationals’ 1st-rounder in the 2012 draft, was thought of as “pretty much untouchable” by Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo last year. But he’s still very young, and mostly unproven, and Miller has performed on the big stage that is the Bronx. Giolito has struggled in the majors, posting a 4.91 ERA in just 11 innings. Considering the less than impressive performance from Jonathan Papelbon all season, you get a good team with a very clear weakness. Cue Miller.

If the Yankees change course, Giolito would be a good fit as part of a younger core that will rise in the next two years or so. Giolito would be one of the best additions to the Yankees farm system in years. Combined with what righty Luis Severino could bring to the mound in a few years, the Yankees would be setting themselves up to have one of the strongest young rotations in the league.