With the trade deadline approaching in just a day, the New York Yankees will be paying close attention to the progress of CC Sabathia who could help determine just what move the franchise makes. Sabathia's first half of the season is forgettable and the second half is proving just as inconsistent. That has caused the Yankees to get linked to a number of pitching trade rumors in order to aid their rotation for the postseason. Sabathia gets another chance to prove himself as the team ends their series against the Texas Rangers.
Texas got a big trade in by acquiring Cole Hamels from the Philadelphia Phillies, but they too are putting a pitcher on display Thursday that could factor into the trade deadline. Yovani Gallardo will start against the Yankees as the Rangers eye a trade deal for the pitcher. Following the arrival of Hamels, Gallardo is expendable thanks to the pitcher's 3.30 ERA coming off a hit-hitter performance. The Rangers have their eyes on the playoffs and getting Hamels will push them into contention for years to come.
Gallardo is 7-9 with a 3.19 ERA on the year. He is set to be a free agent at the end of the season which is why Texas is aiming to deal him now instead of losing him for nothing. There are several teams still eyeing pitching upgrades. The Yankees could easily be one of them which just adds to the storyline of this matchup. New York is dealing with injuries to Michael Pineda and Ivan Nova while Sabathia is looking less and less like an All-Star. Gallardo could be a potential target.
Pineda has officially been placed on the disabled list which is why Sabathia is now starting against the Rangers. Pineda has been struggling this season as he is 2-5 with a 4.91 ERA in his last eight starts. He will now be sitting for the next 15 days which might push New York to make a trade depending on how good Sabathia looks. Players like Mike Leake, Ian Kennedy and James Shields could all potentially be available for New York if they feel the need to make a move at the deadline.
