Last week word got out that the Yankees are reportedly considering releasing Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira should they decide to sell at the deadline. Neither is playing well this season, and cutting ties would clear roster spots for younger players.

Well, on Monday the Yankees made what could easily be considered a "sellers" trade, when they shipped Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs for Adam Warren and three prospects. Does that mean it's time to release A-Rod (and Teixeira)? Not so fast, according to GM Brian Cashman.

Following the Chapman trade Cashman told reporters releasing Rodriguez is "something that is not being considered right now." Here's more from Cashman, via Steven Marcus of Newsday:

"He's grinding through it and why? Because he's trying to do everything he can to help us win games and earn his salary to the best of his ability despite fighting through pain," Cashman said of Teixeira. "He knows right now he's the best first baseman that we have and so he's doing everything he possibly can for our fans, for his teammates, for our staff.

"And Alex is doing the same thing. It hasn't played out to certainly what we expected in 2016 but all I can tell you is they're professionals they're doing everything in their power to put themselves in the position to be successful. We're all hoping that better games and days are ahead involving them. It doesn't guarantee it."

Rodriguez, who turns 41 on Wednesday, is hitting only .206/.256/.364 (64 OPS+) with nine home runs in 58 games this season. The Yankees have been benching him regularly against righties -- he has started only eight of their past 21 games -- and on Monday he was benched against a lefty too. It's tough to see where he fits in right now.

Teixeira at least remains a top-notch defensive first baseman, plus the Yankees don't have any appealing alternatives at the position. A-Rod is a right-handed platoon DH, so his usefulness is very limited. Releasing Rodriguez would allow the Yankees to slide Carlos Beltran to DH full-time and play one of their many young outfielders in right field full-time.

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Yankees GM Brian Cashman says the team is not considering releasing A-Rod. USATSI

Of course, the Yankees still owe Rodriguez another $30 million or so through next season, and eating that is a tough pill to swallow for any owner. Also, A-Rod is now only four home runs away from 700 for his career, and the pursuit of that milestone figures to help attendance and ratings.

Perhaps the Yankees will more seriously consider releasing A-Rod after the season, assuming he hits his 700th home run by then. For now, I think Cashman and the Yankees are sincere when they say releasing Rodriguez (or Teixeira) is not a serious consideration.