Justin Masterson fits a profile very similar to that of Brandon McCarthy and Chase Headley: an accomplished player who has struggled this year, makes a good bit of money and is a free agent at the conclusion of the season unlikely to be made the qualifying offer. Oh, and, of course, he is very available.
However, when I checked with the Yankees, he was not on their radar, though they continue to look for a starter upgrade on at least Chris Capuano.
Masterson has been on the DL with an inflamed right knee. He made two rehab starts at Triple-A and is due to start for Cleveland on Friday against the Rangers. But that is one day after the deadline. Thus, any interested club would have to gamble based on Masterson’s history and those two rehab starts in which he gave up seven runs in 11 2/3 innings and walked eight.
Masterson is making $9,762,500 this year, so it is possible that he will get through waivers and be available for a trade in August. If he pitches better, though, Cleveland is still in the playoff hunt and might just decide to keep the big righty.
The 29-year-old had been bothered by the knee injury all season and is 4-6 with a 5.51 ERA. He was 14-10 last year with a 3.45 ERA.