Around the Empire: New York Yankees News - 8/7/14

It's About the Money | Domenic Lanza: Despite the uncertainty of the 2015 starting rotation, there exist enough options on the free agent market to add what they need.

The Record | Bob Klapisch: The Yankees have managed to remain in the playoff race despite an underwhelming team, and for that they deserve credit.

Huffington Post | Lincoln Mitchell: With Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner occupying similar roles on the team, does it make sense to trade the less expensive Gardner?

Newsday | David Lennon: The Rays and Red Sox were not allowed to trade David Price or Jon Lester to the Yankees.

SB Nation | Grant Brisbee: The Yankees and Braves are two teams that still contend every year, despite being made up of old, underperforming, zombies.

New York Times | David Waldstein: Alex Rodriguez is attempting to repair his image and relationship with MLB so as to allow him to have a future in the sport.

Fangraphs | Jeff Sullivan: Brett Gardner is hitting for more power because pitchers are not adjusting to his new approach and are basically daring him to do more damage.

Bleeding Yankee Blue | Steve Skinner: An interview with Yankees pitching prospect Ian Clarkin about pitching and being a Yankee.

Baseball America | Matt Eddy: Ichiro Suzuki and Alex Rodriguez have had the best tools in baseball since 2000.

LoHud | Chad Jennings: The Yankees plan to trim their bullpen back down to seven pitchers, and it will likely include one of Tyler Webb or Jacob Lindgren.