For the past week or two it seemed like things in the baseball world might stay quiet as the trade deadline approached, but some big names have finally moved over the past few days. However, the Yankees have still yet to make any moves, and they are running out of time if they want to improve the team externally. Around this time last year, GM Brian Cashman flipped Vidal Nuno for Brandon McCarthy in a deal that worked out really well for the Yankees, despite the fact that McCarthy had struggled with the Diamondbacks. Should the Yankees try to make a similar deal for a pitcher this season?
If it wasn't clear before Chris Capuano made his spot start yesterday, the Yankees could use a few long relievers or starting pitchers. Right now the rotation is jammed because the Yankees are unwilling to move CC Sabathia (or anyone else) out of the rotation and into the bullpen, but if anyone went down with an injury, the team's backup options are limited. Adam Warren was great in the rotation earlier in the season, but he is on an innings limit. Bryan Mitchell is working on getting stretched out in Triple-A. Some rumors have been floating around about the Yankees potentially promoting Luis Severino from Scranton at some point, but they might not want to rush him. Even if the Yankees didn't end up needing an extra starter, at the very least they should replace Capuano as the long man in the bullpen (and not with Esmil Rogers). There are still several starting pitchers out there who the Yankees might be able to get for fairly cheap.
Yovani Gallardo
Clearly the best pitcher on this list, this move would make sense if the Yankees decided to trade one of the pitchers currently in the rotation, or move someone to the bullpen. Through 121.1 innings pitched, Gallardo has a 3.19 ERA, 3.69 FIP, 6.16 K/9, 3.41 BB/9 and 0.59 HR/9. His ground ball percentage is 50.1%, which could translate into success at Yankee Stadium. The Rangers have indicated that they are willing to listen to inquiries for Gallardo, so maybe the Yankees should take a look while they're in town. He is set to start Thursday night's game against Michael Pineda.
Dan Haren
Haren has been mediocre this season, but he'd probably be an improvement over Capuano, and maybe even over Sabathia. That may sound like setting the bar low, but Cashman might be looking to duplicate last year's McCarthy trade by picking among the scrap pile. Through 123 innings, Haren has a 3.51 ERA, 4.55 FIP, 6.15 K/9, 1.68 BB/9, 1.46 HR/9. Since he is on a Marlins team that has very little chance of making a playoff run, and he's set to become a free agent next season, he probably wouldn't require too much of a prospect haul. His FIP indicates that he's gotten lucky and is due to regress, so depending on the price, it'd probably be too much of a gamble to acquire Haren.
Ian Kennedy
Of the three pitchers on this list, Kennedy is the one having the worst season so he'd presumably be the easiest to acquire. His strikeout numbers have been good (8.31 K/9) and he's only giving up 2.62 walks per nine inning. However, he's also given up a scary amount of home runs this season. Through 96.1 innings, Kennedy has given up 22 home runs and his home run to fly ball ratio is a whopping 20.6%, nearly double his career average of 10.6%. What's even more troubling is that 14 of those homers came at Petco Park which isn't that hitter friendly. The Yankees were rumored to be looking at the Padres' relievers the other day, so if they're serious about that, maybe they could get Kennedy thrown in. It would probably be better not to reunite with the former Yankee, though.
Do you think the Yankees should take a gamble on a short-term starter, or just stick with what they have?