Mat Latos to the Yankees?

The July 31st trade deadline is just around the corner and the New York Yankees are expected to add at least one player before the deadline closes. New York seemingly wants an upgrade over Stephen Drew at second base, even if that means calling Robert Refsnyder back up, and may also look to upgrade their starting pitching. New York has been linked to just about every starting pitcher on the market including Johnny Cueto, Cole Hamels and David Price but one name we're not hearing enough about is the Miami Marlins RHP Mat Latos. There is probably a good reason for that too.

This weekend the rumors began that New York was scouting and somewhat interested in the Marlins starter Latos. Latos, at the time of this writing, has posted a 4-6 record with a 4.48 ERA while striking out 74 batters in a shade over 84 innings pitched. Keep in mind that Latos pitches in a pretty pitching friendly Marlins Park and also faces the oppoising team's starting pitcher once every time through the order before we start comparing those numbers to current Yankees starters. An old rule that I used to go by, and whether it is really accurate or not is anyone's guess, is that you add a full run to his ERA after going from the National League to the American League with non-ace starting pitchers. If this holds true that would put Latos more closer to a 5.48 ERA than a 4.48 ERA if he was pitching inside Yankee Stadium in 2015.

Latos is not an ace, he is closer to a third starter with the Yankees and maybe a number two starter in the National League even with his struggles and injury history this season, but he would be a nice fall back option for New York. Latos may never start on an Opening Day for New York, and he's a free agent after 2015, but if the Yankees make the playoffs you have to think right now he would start a potential Game Three of Game Four in a seven game series and that at least means something.

Former Yankees OF Jones attempting MLB comeback

Former Yankees outfielder Andruw Jones didn't seem to leave the United States on a high note two years ago, but the veteran is nonetheless attempting a comeback.

Jones, 37, is currently trying to land a spot on an MLB club after spending a pair of seasons in Japan, the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo reports.

Jones played for NPB's Rakuten Golden Eagles following his departure from the Yankees after 2012, performing solidly in the new league. He hit .243/.391/.454 in 2013 and .221/.394/.426 in 2014, racking up a total of 50 home runs and 165 RBI.

According to Cafardo, Jones is presently drawing interest from two unknown teams, but it's unlikely either will offer him more than minor-league deal. Jones is looking for a job as a part-time outfielder/first baseman, his agent Scott Boras said.

Jones, who held a spot on the Yankees' bench from 2011-2012, struggled during his last year in the majors, batting just .197/.294/.408 in 94 games for New York. However, he was in fact better the season before, slashing a respectable .247/.356/.495.

His career average is .254, going along with 434 homers. Jones is a five-time All-Star and a 10-time Gold Glove winner, but the most recent of the those accolades came in 2007.

Should the Yankees Re-Sign Ichiro Suzuki?

Should the Yankees re-sign OF Ichiro Suzuki?

That's the question The Latin Post's Damon Salvadore recently begged, opining Friday the Yankees could soon show interest in the veteran to fill their offensive needs. Ichiro, 41, has played for the Yankees since July of 2012, and hit a solid .284 off the bench for them last season.

From Salvadore:

"Suzuki won't fix all of [the Yankees' offensive] problems, but he does bring veteran leadership, experience and hits. Suzuki has recorded at least 100 hits in all 14 of his years in the big leagues. Adding Suzuki would at least provide a sure reliable hitter. Without [Derek] Jeter and Suzuki in the lineup, the Yankees would struggle mightily to get on base."

The Yankees could certainly use another bat right now, seeing as their performance at the plate last year wasn't all that appealing. Their team average of .245 ranked 11th in the American League, and their .307 on-base percentage was even lower at 14th.

Not to mention, Ichiro's probable replacement, Chris Young, is coming off a pretty unimpressive campaign whether you include his late hot streak with the Yankees or not, and it's not exactly a safe bet he'll be any better in the future.

Regardless of what New York ultimately decides to do with Ichiro, though, it should be noted the speedster stated his intentions to return for 2015 earlier this offseason, so it's unlikely the Yankees will have to worry about being rejected if they do eventually pursue him. 

It's Time For A Nick Swisher In Pinstripes Reunion

The Yankees are down an outfielder with Alfonso Soriano and still lack a true backup first base option, unless you count Kelly Johnson or Brian McCann playing out of position, and New York could solve both of those problems with one phone call. Nick Swisher, it's time to come back to New York and back to Yankee Stadium.

The Indians are under the .500 mark this season and with the losses of injured players Michael Bourn and Justin Masterson that mark looks to worsen over the next couple of weeks. The Indians have their highest payroll in 2014 that they have had since 2001 and Swisher is their highest paid player. Swisher is set to make $15 million this season, roughly $7 million prorated for the remainder of the year, $15 million in each of 2015 and 2016, and a vesting option for 2017 worth $14 million. All Swisher has to do is reach 500 plate appearances in 2016 and pass a physical at the end of the 2016 and the option vests.

The problem with the deal is that Cleveland is a win now team and needs a win now type player(s) in return for Swisher. Swisher's first base replacement could possibly already be on the team with Carlos Santana. If Santana isn't an option the Yankees could always send Kyle Roller and others to Cleveland to make the deal work.

He's batting .198 with six home runs and 20 RBI's but I truly believe would be revitalized if he would return to New York. I truly believe, and admittedly I have been wrong before, that this season is the exception and not the rule for Swisher and his production. Swish is a switch hitter and offers us more versatility than Soriano did or could and we could get him for an absolute salary dump. Take a chance, right a wrong, and bring back Swisher.

Cashman wants more pitching, but finds it "really hard" to find right now

Going into tonight's game against the Mets, it's no secret that the Yankees are in trouble.

Baseball's second-richest team, who spent over a half billion dollars this offseason improving their roster, have started the 2014 season with 18 losses in 37 games, the new guys' lack of production and the starting rotation's inability to stay healthy a big part of those struggles.

Despite that, GM Brian Cashman still seems to believe that the team's fine, claiming in a recent NJ.com article that, while he wants more pitching, it's "really hard" to find right now. 

"Oh, I'd be open to any external options," Cashman said. "But they're really hard to find this time of year."

That may be true, but the way I look at it: when stuff's really hard to get you just gotta adjust. Not by accepting that you can't get that talented arm from a selling team, but by becoming willing to give up more. Sure, that can be dumb, but as the YES Network's John Flaherty recently said, "the can't-miss prospect is usually the guy you wanna you let go." I think that's completely true in this case, seeing as the Yanks have a team capable of winning this year if they can just pull things together.