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Nationals would give up Lucas Giolito to get Andrew Miller

However, the Yankees may be in the process of switching from sellers to buyers as the trade deadline approaches with their rumored interest in the White Sox lefty Chris Sale.

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This haul, Miller’s comparative statistics, and the fact that Chapman is a rental on an expiring contract whereas Miller’s deal runs through the 2018 season at $9 million dollars per year have left many fans and experts wondering what the value for Miller could be.

After pulling off a widely praised swap with the Cubs for their former closer Aroldis Chapman, the Yankees have set the bar high for what they would expect back for Miller, a player who won’t hit free agency until 2019 and who has put up similar, if not superior numbers to Chapman (while lacking a 105 miles per hour fastball, of course).

Giolito, who made his major-league debut in Washington last month, has a 4.91 ERA in three starts with nine walks and five strikeouts. But, that doesn’t mean the Yanks will trade for just anybody; they want top prospects, with an emphasis on the “s”. One thing has remained clear: Giolito is untouchable. The team wants to add pitching period, but a proven closer, especially one from the left side, remains a priority.

The Washington Nationals own one of the top prospects in the league, Lucas Giolito.

Giolito is No. 1 in some prospect rankings.

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It could be that the Cubs have been willing to pay steeply for Chapman because the price for Miller – Kyle Schwarber and more, perhaps – was simply unthinkable. Yankee GM Brian Cashman knows this, and that’s why the Bronx Bombers will retain Andrew Miller until the right deal pops up.

Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports