Potential List of Pitchers That Interests the Yankees

Hal Steinbrenner has been asked what the Yankees plan will be at this season's July 31st trading deadline and Hal responded that the team would likely go the route they went during the 2014 season. In 2014 the team did not acquire any players that were under contract past that current season meaning the team will likely look towards pure rentals this season as well. New York will presumably be interested in the pitching market specifically this season, much like every season, so I decided to take a look at a short list of arms the Yankees will presumably be interested this July. Remember that this is just based off the fact that the player has pitched well this season and is a pure rental, there are no reports that the team is interested in any potential trade.

• Every list starts and ends with Cole Hamels because he has been linked to almost every team that expects to contend this season. I realize that Hamels is not the pure rental that we described above but his talent at 31 years old from the left side of the pitching rubber makes him the exception to every rule. 

• Speaking of left handed pitchers the Oakland Athletics have one in Scott Kazmir who has been pitching well as of late. Kazmir is left handed and is a pure rental for any team presumably making him attractive to any team, including the Yankees. With Oakland not playing well this season it seems likely that Billy Beane will trade his ace. 

• Mike Leake of the Cincinnati Reds screams Brandon McCarthy to me and that trade worked out well for the Yankees last season. Leake is a middle of the rotation type starter that won't presumably cost much in the prospects department for New York. He may not be the big and sexy name that the Yankees fans love but he will keep your team in a game and is still just 27 years old. 

• Johnny Cueto is a big time arm that the Yankees could be interested in but he would be awfully expensive to acquire for any team. New York could acquire Cueto if they were willing to give up a package including at least one of, and probably two of, Greg Bird, Robert Refsnyder, Luis Severino and Aaron Judge. Cueto seems like the least likely pitcher to acquire this season. 

It Is Time To Sell: Chris Stewart

I know what you are all thinking when you read the title of this post but just hear me out.

The St. Louis Cardinals recently lost their All Star catcher Yadier Molina to injury and were said to be looking for a temporary replacement at the July 31st trading deadline. Chris Stewart would be a perfect match for the Cardinals as his bat is sufficient enough to play everyday but not good enough to make any waves when Yadier comes back. Stewart is still arbitration eligible in 2014 and would serve as a cheap and very competent back up for the Cards, especially in the National League. His defense and his control over the running game would surely be attractive to the Cardinals as well I would think so a deal could be made here, especially considering that I don't see a problem with Stewart clearing waivers. 

The Cardinals have a great farm system so, without getting too specific because I never claimed to be a Cardinals farm system expert, they should have plenty of  guys either blocked or log jammed that could become available. Obviously we are not going to get a Matt Adams here but if we could get a AA or AAA pitcher out of the deal I would be ecstatic. 

The Yankees would then have room to call up the red hot JR Murphy from Scranton and finally give him his shot at the majors. The Yankee have been grooming high end catchers for some time now and it is about time we saw some dividends from the likes of Austin Romine and JR Murphy. 

Does it work for both teams? Sure it does but keep in mind that doesn't always mean it is going to go down like that. Remember this is a MOCK trade and pure speculation on my part but damn wouldn't it be nice? 

It Is Time To Sell: Lyle Overbay

Lyle Overbay, and let this sink in and let it show how far we have fallen as a team this season, has been a godsend for the New York Yankees this season after being released at the end of spring training by the Boston Red Sox. Overbay has been a savior for the Yankees at first base, and when needed in the outfield, and has probably been our biggest clutch hitter this season. The best thing is he has to have trade value at this point but not enough to probably get claimed on waivers, thus allowing us to trade him to anyone we want.

The AL East is out so we can move on from them, the St. Louis Cardinals have a log jam at first base so count them out as well, but what about the Arizona Diamondbacks? They have right handed Paul Goldsmchidt currently there and he is having a tremendous season offensively but Overbay could definitely add some depth and veteran leadership along with Eric Chavez in that infield. Overbay gives the D Backs a different look from the left side of the plate and would be a valuable part time player in their playoff run this season.

The Diamondbacks have plenty of guys in the lower levels of the minor leagues so if we could get a AA arm for Overbay I think that would be fair. There is no replacement for veteran leadership in an overall young clubhouse, clutch hitting, and good defense at a premium position. I'd hate to lose Overbay but the fit works in Arizona and we are going no where really fast this season.