New York Yankees: These Trades Should Be Considered
Boasting an older lineup and pitching held together by glue, the New York Yankees may hold the division lead — but won’t for long. Tampa Bay gets hot during the second half of every season, and Baltimore will make September interesting as always. With trade headlines swirling around the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers, how can the Yankees’ needs get filled? Well, there are several dark horses that may benefit the ‘archaic’ lineup, including the following.
Johnny Cueto
An absurd WHIP and 2.73 would give the Yankees an immediate guarantee of wild card participation if Cueto is pursued. Texas and Kansas City will also pursue Cueto, with the latter already stocked with one ex-Reds player in Edinson Volquez. With money to spend and several prospects to unload, expect the Yankees to at least converse with Cueto’s agent over the next week.
Scott Kazmir
Watching Jon Lester struggle against National League hitters would scare any AL pitcher’s agent. If the Cubs pass on Scott Kazmir’s services, it stands to reason New York would make a play on the revived 31-year old. His microscopic 2.38 ERA and 101 K’s would compliment Pineda, and keep the A’s ace from wreaking havoc on the Yankees lineup. Oakland already has an interesting farm system, so expect cash and future draft picks to accompany any trade for Kazmir.
Ryan Howard
The sluggish Phillies first baseman could use some American League therapy, given his futile batting average and low OBP. Since Philadelphia will want a clean slate to begin rebuilding, offloading older guys like Papelbon and Ryan Howard would prove useful either short-term or for contract extensions, although the Yankees have enough granddads in their daily lineup. Ben Revere would make an excellent alternative should Howard opt to stay.
Tyson Ross
San Diego appears to have flown their white flag this season, meaning the entire lineup could go. Tyson Ross, boasting a 3.47 ERA and 105 K’s this season, could also find glory pitching against Baltimore, Toronto, and Boston, and would command much less than any other player mentioned above. In fact, San Diego could package Andrew Cashner with Ross and net returns that could pay dividends next spring.
The Yankees have an extremely favorable second half schedule and holds a slim 3.5 game divisional lead over Tampa Bay, although the entire division is within 8 games of overtaking the perennial powerhouse. If the Bronx Bombers intend on playing October baseball, making some tough front office decisions should be something explored now as opposed to August.
[Photo by Rich Schultz / Getty Images Sport]
