The New York Yankees could be getting active in the trade deadline, it is just unclear as to how active they really intend to be. The Yankees continue to get linked to several moves in the league, mainly involving pitching help as the team enters the All-Star break in first place and aims to stay that way. With some players struggling with consistency, New York is aiming to beef up their rotation in order to make it last.
According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Yankees are eyeing another closer to help Andrew Miller in the second half of the season. Originally, Olney linked the Yankees to a deal for Craig Kimbrel from the San Diego Padres. With the National League team struggling despite their offseason spending, they could be looking to move the closer a lot sooner than expected. Kimbrel is owed $9 million this season, $11 million next season and $13 million in 2017. If the Yankees want a closer, he is the best to acquire, but will not come cheap.
Could the better addition be someone like Jonathan Papelbon? The Philadelphia Phillies are struggling heavily and the closer no longer wants to be a part of it. Papelbon told the media that three years in Philadelphia is enough and he wants a trade.
"That's not what I signed up for," Papelbon said, via ESPN.com. "I signed up with a team that won 102 games, and I expected certain things. It didn't happen, and I've tried to ride that ship and keep my mouth shut as much as I can. But it's time for the Phillies to you-know-what or get off the pot. I feel like three years is plenty enough time to ride it out, so to speak. If the fans don't understand that, I can't really side with them."
Paplebon has the easier contract to acquire and could come cheap as the Phillies look to be sellers. New York has yet to show any true interest in the closer as they weigh their options. FOX Sports has linked the franchise to starting pitchers rather than closers. With CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova struggling at this point in the year, players like Johnny Cueto, Cole Hamels and Jeff Samardzija have been mentioned as potential additions.
The Yankees need some kind of pitching help if they are going to keep the momentum going. The team ranks in the bottom five in the American League with a combined ERA of 4.03. Sabathia has a 5.59 ERA and can no longer be counted on. Despite Nova claiming he is healthy, something is wrong since he returned from Tommy John surgery. According to the New York Post, general manager Brian Cashman has confirmed that the Yankees are in the market for a trade, but would not elaborate any further. The team certainly has plenty of options in front of them.
