New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told the media prior to the start of the second half of the MLB season that his team needed pitching upgrades more than anything. Since the start of the season, the Yankees have lost four starting pitchers, two of which were for the entire season while the other two are hopeful a return is possible. Looking to be in the running for the postseason, New York must strike some deals prior to the July 31 trade deadline.
The Yankees simply cannot fully replace the numbers CC Sabathia and Masahiro Tanaka put up together. Yes they can hold themselves afloat with younger arms, but they must strike at least one deal for a starting pitcher if they have any chance of getting to the top of the American League East. According to Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia, Cliff Lee has reached the top of the Yankees' trade wish list.
Lee has not pitched since May 18, sitting on the disabled list, but is scheduled to start Monday for the Philadelphia Phillies. The Yankees sent out scouts to attend Lee's last rehab start and are expected to send someone to his first game back at Citizens Bank Ballpark. Lee is currently set to make $38 million through 2016 which includes $25 million this season. That makes a trade with the Yankees tough. Salisbury reports that New York is trying to figure out whether or not the investment is worth it taking into consideration Lee's recent injury history. Prior to getting hurt, the pitcher was 3-3 with a 3.18 ERA in 10 starts.
Several of the Phillies' pitchers are up for trades as the team sits in the bottom of the National League. The Yankees are highly interested in Lee over someone like Cole Hamels who is getting attention from teams like the Boston Red Sox. New York had been linked to Hamels for some time, but CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Red Sox are looking to be interested in Hamels if things do not work out with Jon Lester. The team and the veteran pitcher have yet to agree to a price tag on a new contract which is making him trade bait at the deadline. Both teams look to be out of the running for David Price who is still awaiting a work on his future with the Tampa Bay Rays.