It’s no secret that the New York Yankees are looking to trade for a starting pitcher before the July 31 deadline. A few quality names are reportedly available and on the team’s radar, though one perennial All-Star continues to be involved in trade speculation.

There is increasing discussion about the possibility of the Yankees trading for Max Scherzer. The three-time Cy Young winner has been MLB’s best pitcher for nearly seven seasons, and he’s playing for a Washington Nationals’ team that is quickly falling out of contention.

It would make sense for Washington to unload the high-priced veteran for a slew of young major leagues and prospects that might help them compete in future seasons. New York, desperate to win its first World Series championship in a decade, has the assets to make a compelling offer.

Just don’t expect a blockbuster trade to happen within the next few weeks.

According to multiple reports, the Nationals aren’t interested in giving up their best player. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal has noted that Washington general manager Mike Rizzo said the team isn’t considering trading Scherzer. SNY’s Andy Martino has reported that rival executives don’t expect the Nationals to make the right-hander available.

Scherzer has two years left on his contract after the 2019 MLB season. If the Nationals continue to struggle, the 34-year-old can still help Washington fight for an NL East title in 2020 or 2021.

Even though he’ll be 35 years old at the trade deadline, Scherzer shows no signs of slowing down. With a fastball that sometimes approaches triple digits, he leads National League pitchers with a 3.9 WAR and 136 strikeouts. He ranks fifth with a 2.81 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP.

Scherzer won the Cy Young award in 2013, 2016 and 2017. He finished fifth in the voting in both 2014 and 2015. Only Jacob deGrom garnered more NL Cy Young votes last season.

The Yankees sit atop the AL East through 70 games. Acquiring Scherzer would make them the clear favorites to win the division.

It appears that New York will have to turn elsewhere to improve a rotation that might not be good enough to make it a successful October in the Bronx.

Max Scherzer Washington Nationals
Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning at Nationals Park on June 14, 2019 in Washington, DC. Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
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