Blue Jays: Which AL contenders could come calling for a starting pitcher?

New York Yankees

For a team that has been mauled by injuries the way the Yankees have this season, it’s pretty amazing that they’re at the top of the American League East right now. That said, this is a deep and dangerous roster.

If there’s an area of weakness though it’s probably in the starting rotation, and that’s mostly because of the absence of Luis Severino all year. It still sounds like he’ll return at some point in the second half, but counting on him to be a staff ace in the playoffs might be a bit of a reach, although it’s hard to say.

The Yankees do have a talented staff that still includes Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton, J.A. Happ, C.C. Sabathia, and Domingo German, but I don’t know that they’ll be confident taking that group into the postseason. Sabathia has battled injuries so far and Tanaka’s health is a frequent wild card as well. It feels like the Yankees will be shopping for rotation help, and even some members of the New York media could see there being a fit with Stroman.

The Yankees would have the prospect capital to get a deal done for any of the starters that could be available, it’s just a matter of seeing if a mutually beneficial deal can be reached. They found common ground and got a swap done last year with Happ going to New York in exchange for Brandon Drury and Billy McKinney, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Brian Cashman goes back to the well again.

Likelihood= 3/5