Last year, the Yankees traded two injured players at the deadline; might they do the same soon?

Maybe I'm delusional, but in the golden days of yore, was there not an unwritten rule in baseball about trading injured players? You just didn't. Not only that, but while some poor fellow sat for three weeks icing his gonads, the unrecorded rule said he could not rightfully lose his starting job. It wasn't cricket.  

But last July, in his relentless quest to make Sonny Gray a Yankee, Brian "Cooperstown" Cashman broke free from all earthly chains and traded two injured prospects to the A's: OF Dustin Fowler, who was out with a bum knee, and former first-round pick James Kaprielian, who was coming off of elbow surgery. (For the record, now 24, Dustin is hitting .274 with 16 HRs in the Pacific Coast League. Kaprielian, 25, has thrown 32 innings at Single A.) 

So, apparently, the unwritten rules no longer apply: Injured players can be trade chips.

Hmm. That opens a rather interesting can of beans. I'm not suggesting these poor souls be dealt, but merely noting that their absence would not hurt the current Yankee roster. And if this sounds like blaspheme, keep in mind that one pitcher the Yankees might seriously chase, Mr. Max Scherzer, is currently on the IL with a bad back himself. He's supposed to return next week, but if he suffers a setback - something Yank fans understand quite well - we could be trading for him blind, with no guarantees. 

So, let's look at some injured Yankees who just might bring us a usable pitcher:

Luis Severino. He's been cleared to resume throwing. If he's going to throw a pitch in 2019, it's now or never. Still, he's still coming off a second half of 2018 so wretched that the Yankee brain trust later suggested he was tipping pitches. He's signed to a team-friendly contract. Might Washington view him as better long term shot than Scherzer? (I would.)

Greg Bird. Let's face it: One way or another, this walking injury list is gone. I thought he'd win 1B in spring training and quell all doubts. Now, he's not even an afterthought. He's a joke. The only question is whether the Yankees can get more for him next March, when he's again hitting .350 in Tampa. I feel bad about this: I've always liked Bird and will never forget his playoffs HR off of the unhittable Andrew Miller. But it's just not going to happen with the Yankees. In a trade for a pitcher, a throw-in? Maybe.

Giancarlo Stanton. What if - talking crazy here - we tossed in a suitcase full of Bitcoins and dealt his sorry ass to San Francisco? Aw, why bother? It won't happen. Just to make this guy disappear would cost Food Stamps Hal more than the Yankees would have spent on Dallas Keuchel (who pitched seven innings, gave up one run on Friday, for Atlanta.) We're stuck with him throughout an Ellsburyian eternity.

Miguel Andujar. An interesting, but unpopular possibility. Interesting because we now have Gio Urshella and DJ LeMahieu at 3B, and Andujar still has yet to prove he can play there. Would a team looking to build long term take Severino and Andujar - two explosive young players - for a quality starter? (I would.)

Dellin Betances. Won't happen. Betances is a free agent next winter, and nobody is going to pay much for a two-month rental. We're better off keeping him.  

Jordan Montgomery. He's throwing batting practice in Tampa. Could be back in September. I doubt we'd get much. Same deal. Let's keep him. 

Ben Heller. Rehabbing at Scranton, he's now thrown 6.2 shutout innings. He'll be with us soon. Trade value: Maybe as a throw-in.

Hammerin' Cameron Maybin. Love this guy. He proved something this year, but nobody will cough up much in a trade. Truth be told, he might get DFA'ed upon his return. Sad. 

Jonathan Loaisiga. He's throwing, could return next month. But his injury history is tough. A throw-in, maybe. 

Jacoby Ellsbury. In our dreams.

Troy Tulowitski. Sad case. I love that he wanted to play for the Yankees. Maybe he can return in September, when the rosters expand, and show what might have been? It would be pointless to trade him, unless to a town where he seeks to be.  

Okay, have I missed anybody? Who got hurt yesterday?