The NY Yankees need pitching badly after Masahiro Tanaka's injury and potential surgery and names like Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, David Price, Jorge de la Rosa, Ian Kennedy, Jon Lester and Jake Peavy could be in the mix for Brian Cashman and this follows the trades of Jeff Samardzija, Jason Hammel and Brandon McCarthy in the past week as the trade deadline gets closer at the end of July and Dellin Betances, David Robertson or Hiroki Kuroda could be trade chips says the New York Post.
According to the Star Ledger, Brian Cashman has options in Lee, Hamels as well as Price, but that it will cost the team to make a deal. Tanaka is on the DL and right now surgery is not an option and is not needed according to doctors, but that could change if he doesn't heal up. The Yankees have been hit hard with injuries already this season and now they have their best pitcher on the mend for at least six weeks. The Yankees now may give up the future to get Derek Jeter into the playoffs and that could be a major mistake.
The team has top prospects like Jose Ramirez and Gary Sanchez and that's about it and they could use one of those to get a deal done, but Price will not go for anything less than a top prospect. The Yankees are also dealing with CC Sabathia's injury and he could be done for the season, while Tanaka now could end up having Tommy John surgery if his elbow doesn't heal up. Tanaka has been by far the best pitcher for the Yankees after signing a $150 million deal in the offseason and he comes in with 12 wins and he also had a 2.51 ERA and now he could be out.
Tanaka complained of soreness in his elbow and now he could be out for the rest of this season and most of next season if he gets the surgery. This is a devastating blow for the Yankees and now they may have no choice but to try and pry away one of those pitchers in a deal. The Oakland A's made their move and now the Yankees have to see what is out there and how much it will cost and it's likely to be costly, especially because everyone realizes the Yankees are desperate.
The Yankees have always loved Cliff Lee, but he costs $25 million this year and has a $25 million salary for next season and that could be too much. Lee is on the disabled list and is coming off and he has been solid this season, but he may be too much money for the Yankees, which in the past was not an issue. Price will cost a top player and that is not a good plan for the Yanks, as they are barren enough as it is. The Rays will be prickly and will hold out for the best deal or not trade Price at all and they may not want to see him in the division.
Hamels is 30 and also will cost a ton of money in the future and he also has a large no trade clause. Hamels is a solid option and he comes in with a 2.87 ERA and could be one to get. Ian Kennedy and others also remain in the mix.