The New York Yankees need a pitching upgrade and general manager Brian Cashman is well aware. Since spring training, the Yankees have lost four starting pitchers to injuries. Two of them could return, but that is no guarantee. Heading into the second half of the season, the rotation is now filled with youth and players making their first major league starts. That is not exactly the lineup the Yankees had intended on having and if they want to be in World Series contention, a move must be made.
The Yankees' new pitching rotation consists of Hiroki Juroda, Shane Green, David Phelps, Brandon McCarthy and Chase Whitley. That is a far cry from the rotation that used to include Ivan Nova, CC Sabathia, Michael Pineda and Masahiro Tanaka. At this point, New York remains confident that Tanaka and Pineda might be able to come back in a month from their respective injuries, but with no guarantees, the Yankees are looking at a possible deadline deal.
"I have to reinforce our pitching, in my opinion," Cashman said, via ESPNNewYork.com. "I have things that I feel I have to try to do, that I'm trying to do, but it is easier said than done. We have to try to improve, reinforce and upgrade, certainly. We certainly we would love to have some significant upgrades but when you lose four out of five starters, it is hard to re-materialize the same type of abilities with the guys you lost. It is whether you incrementally upgrade."
The MLB trade deadline approaches July 31 meaning the market is starting to heat up around certain players. According to ESPN.com, the Yankees are in a position to target a player like Cliff Lee from the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee has a no-trade clause in his contract, making $25 million this year and another $25 million in 2015 along with team options after that. Currently sitting on the disabled list, Lee is set to pitch again on Monday. If he looks healthy and strong in his next two starts, the Yankees might make a push for him. Another option would be Cole Hamels.
The issue could be who does the Yankees give up in order to get either player. They could give up a young starter in their rotation. Rookie Greene is a promising prospect, but getting Lee might make them contenders sooner rather than later. Cashman called up David Huff to fill voids, but he will not be enough. Fans can expect New York to get very active in deals. The team is currently sitting five games back in the American League and 3 1/2 games back in the wild card race. Adding a strong arm could be just what the team needs.
