I think the Yankees will be hunting for a starting pitcher to slot at the back end of the starting rotation. Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon are ancient and can break down at any time now, but they have pitched well this year. Phil Hughes has been awful this year and he can’t be counted on. Now, the Yankees have Ivan Nova stashed at AAA, but they might need another starter. I think the Yankees should be thinking about a lefty starter as they might be able to get one cheap. Bruce Chen (Royals), Jeff Francis (Royals), Erik Bedard (Mariners), Jason Vargas (Mariners) and Ted Lilly (Dodgers) all would make sense. Lilly makes a lot of cash so he might not make the most sense here. Bedard is brittle, so I don’t think I would go with him either. That leaves Vargas, Chen and Francis. Vargas would be the most expensive prospect wise, but he’s probably the best of this bunch. I do think Bruce Chen would be a solid fit for the Yankees and he would only cost them a pitching prospect or two. I think the Yankees could use another lefty for the rotation to negate lefty swingers at Yankee Stadium.

It’s time for the Yankees to get a real DH instead of using Jorge Posada there. Posada has played in 80 games for the Yankees so far this year and he is 56 for 250 (.224 avg, .683 OPS) with 22 runs scored, 9 homers and 29 RBIs. I look for the Yankees to be in for big bats like Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Pena, Ryan Ludwick and Josh Willingham. With the Cubs likely picking up most if not all of Soriano’s remaining contract, he might make the most sense. The Cubs would probably jump at an offer of a minor prospect plus Hector Noesi for Soriano…it that’s the case….the Yankees should bring him back to the Bronx. The price is going to be much higher for Pena, Ludwick or Willingham. Willingham has a huge injury history (his back), so the Yanks should be careful with him. The price for Ludwick will be high as he is ripping the ball playing his home games in a terrible park for hitters. Carlos Pena’s swing would be perfect for Yankee Stadium but the price would be high for him unless the Yankees picked up the tab. Jorge Posada just can’t cut it anymore and Soriano, Willingham, Ludwick or Pena would be a huge upgrade on him.

The Yankees likely don’t like any of the starting pitchers still on the free agent market except for Andy Pettitte. That means they are going to likely have to deal to bring in a starter or two. If the season started today, Ivan Nova and Sergio Marte would be the Yankees’ #4 and #5 starter and that just isn’t good enough. The Yankees might have interest in dealing for pitchers like Francisco Liriano, Scott Kazmir, Paul Maholm, Barry Zito, Fausto Carmona, Derek Lowe or Joe Blanton. Liriano & Carmona would probably take multiple top prospects but the other guys can probably be had for pennies on a dollar so look for the Yankees to make a deal for a starting pitcher or two before spring training starts. They are also likely in the market for a backup outfielder that swings from the right side. In free agency, Scott Hairston, Andruw Jones or Reed Johnson could be a fit.

With the Rays and Red Sox hanging around in the division I would go for the kill shot if I were the GM of the Yankees. I would throw caution to the wind and make two trades in typical Yankees’ fashion ransacking the minors to help the major league team. First off I would call the Milwaukee Brewers up and offer them a nice package of catcher Jesus Montero, 2B/3B David Adams, 1B Juan Miranda and righty starting pitcher Zach McAllister and Ivan Nova for 1B/DH Prince Fielder, IF Craig Counsell and righty starting pitcher Dave Bush. Fielder would be the starting DH putting up monster numbers aiming at the RF porch in Yankees’ Stadium. Counsell would fill a utility role in the infield for the Yanks and Dave Bush would replace Andy Pettitte until he comes back. Then I would get on the phone and call the Marlins up. I would offer them something along the lines of righty reliever Mark Melancon, outfielder Colin Curtis and infielder Ramiro Pena for righty relievers Leo Nunez and Brian Sanches. If the Yankees made those two moves they would put immense pressure on the other teams in the A.L. East.

The Yankees are 51-31 right now which has them 2 games up on the Rays in the A.L. East. I don’t see too many cracks on the Yankees’ roster right now. They need some help in the bullpen and on the bench. I wouldn’t rule the Yankees out as far as trading for one more big bat if it comes available either. A lot on infielders make sense for the Yankees to check in on. John McDonald, Julio Lugo, Willie Bloomquist, Adam Kennedy, Craig Counsell, Mike Fontenot, Geoff Blum, Jeff Keppinger, Ronny Cedeno and Bobby Crosby are the likely infield targets if the Yankees are looking small. If they want to take it up a notch Ty Wigginton, Mike Aviles, Mark Ellis or Jack Wilson could be had by the Yankees. There are a lot of relievers on the trade market so the Yankees can probably pick and choose. From the right side Jason Frasor, Kerry Wood, Brad Ziegler, Mike Wuertz, Matt Lindstrom, Brandon Lyon, Octavio Dotel and Chad Qualls make sense. From the left side Scott Downs, Will Ohman, Rafael Perez or Jerry Blevins make sense. Still the Yankees always like to make a big splash as the end of July so don’t be surprised if they add a bat who could DH. Luke Scott, Jose Guillen, Jack Cust, Lance Berkman and Adam LaRoche all make sense. The big fish in the pond is Prince Fielder and don’t be surprised if the Yankees make a play for him.

The Yankees have a few needs and they will likely get involved in the trade market to fill them. The Yankees have needs at DH and in the bullpen. The perfect matchup to fill both needs would be a trade with the Orioles. Luke Scott has the perfect swing for Yankee Stadium and they could use either Mark Hendrickson or Will Ohman. I think the Yankees could definitely get that for Juan Miranda and either Mark Melcanon or Ivan Nova. I think the other team that matches up very well with the Yankees is the Astros. Lance Berkman would definitely help out the Yankees. I think the Yankees could definitely get their hands on Lance Berkman and either Brandon Lyon or Matt Lindstrom. The Astros would probably prefer to move Lyon because of his contract. For Lyon and Berkman I could see the Yankees trading Juan Miranda, Mark Melcanon, David Robertson and Ivan Nova. That would give the Yankees what they need while giving the Astros some nice chips to rebuild with. The Yankees could also give the Royals or Indians a call. Jose Guillen and Kyle Farnsworth could likely be had for Mark Melcanon and Ivan Nova. The Indians would likely trade DH Travis Hafner for Nova, David Robertson or Mark Melcanon. The Yankees look like they are going to have to add some pieces to catch up to the Tampa Bay Rays who look pretty darn good.