As of today the Yankees sit 1.5 games out behind the Red Sox with just 69 left to play. Not bad, considering the Red Sox were practically handed the World Series trophy in March. None the less it's that time of year again, when the Yankees go shopping right before the trade deadline.
Most likely the Bombers will be looking for a utility infielder who can swing the bat a little bit and play multiple defensive positions, like a Miguel Cairo or Jerry Hairston Jr. type of player. While their main cause will be going after a starting pitcher. Everyone knows this year the Starting Pitcher market is extremely thin, leaving Brian Cashman with limited options to bolster this club to make their final run down the home stretch. Ryan Dempster of the Cubs seems to be the popular rumor around Yankee Land, he's cheap to acquire, and his pitched very effectively in many recent starts, someone who could for sure step in and make an impact. Ubaldo Jimenez has also been frequently mentioned. However he would come at an extremely steep price, not good, for someone who was been erratic and inconsistent much of 2011.
If you ask me though, the Yankees could survive with C.C. , Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia, A.J. Burnett, and Phil Hughes. The Yankees have enough pop in their lineup to get by with this slightly above average rotation. However having that second ace would surely help the Yanks come October when they inevitably face off against Beckett , Lester, and the Red Sox.
The Yanks will continue trying to put the nail in the Rays coffin tonight 7pm.
