Report: Yankees won't trade Frazier for rental like Bumgarner or Wheeler

Clint Frazier may be the Yankees' biggest trade chip leading up to the deadline, but New York apparently won't deal him for a rental.

General manager Brian Cashman won't move Frazier for a few months of soon-to-be free-agent pitchers like San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner or New York Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler, according to SNY's Andy Martino, who cites multiple major-league sources.

The Yankees are still willing to deal Frazier, 24, in the right situation, but will be careful in doing so, Martino adds.

The Yankees apparently love Wheeler and have been linked to Bumgarner in multiple reports, but Frazier isn't eligible for free agency until 2024 and has shown flashes of his offensive upside (11 HRs, 34 RBIs, .843 OPS) this season, despite being optioned to the minors last week.

New York has other pitching options it can pursue: Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman, Cleveland Indians hurler Trevor Bauer, and Detroit Tigers southpaw Matthew Boyd are expected to be available ahead of the trade deadline.

The Yankees could also try to land Washington ace Max Scherzer, who looms as a possibility despite the fact Nationals ownership is unlikely to sign off on such a deal, Martino adds.

Frazier's had a rocky tenure with the Yankees since arriving from the Indians in a 2016 trade. He hasn't been able to become a fixture in the lineup, has struggled with injuries, has played some shaky defense, and refused to speak with local media after a particularly poor game earlier in June.