Steve Phillips

Q: Do the Yankees have to sell? A: Yes, the worst thing that can happen for the Yankees right now is that they win games. They are not a playoff team, and it doesn’t make any sense to me for them to go for it this year. They are in a position to maximize value on Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller, Aroldis Chapman and Carlos Beltran. The one thing to remember: With such a light free-agent market this offseason, the currency to improve your team will not be dollars, it’s going to be talent you can trade and a farm system you can put in deals.

Q: What’s a fair return for those relievers?

A: You are looking at a top-flight prospect plus one or two other prospects in return. And I think they need to focus on starting pitching as much as they possibly can. You are looking at seven or eight teams right now that need bullpen help. [The Yankees] hold the leverage in the negotiations. They have the supply and there’s a lot of demand, and that’s a formula for the Yankees to score big right now.

Q: Where should the Mets be looking for help at the deadline?

A: Third base seems to be a position where they can do something, but that’s going to take a major admission from the organization that David Wright is effectively done being an everyday player. I would love to see the Mets go out and get Evan Longoria. I don’t think it’s a move they make, but it’s the type of move that I think they need to consider because it would bring in that big bat, give them a presence in the lineup, a more solid defender at third base and fit the need of the team that helps long-term and shortterm. Q: Do the Mets have to make a move? A: Absolutely. I have some real concerns about the offense, and the bullpen is going to get challenged more down the stretch because of the need to protect the rotation. That’s where the challenge is for the Mets because they need to improve their team with a multi-pronged approach. Q: What big names do you see getting moved in the first week? A: Jonathan Lucroy and Ryan Braun are an interesting duo of players to help clubs get to the playoffs and help the Brewers take a giant step forward in their rebuilding process. The A’s. Will Sonny Gray move? And what is Sonny Gray? Because he hasn’t looked like the AllStar pitcher from a couple of years ago.