Yankees rumors: Could the Yankees make a play for Edwin Jackson? Will Ian Kennedy even be available?

Yankees GM Brian Cashman continues to search for starting pitching, desperate to shore up a rotation that has been decimated by injuries.  One player that might make sense for New York is Chicago Cubs pitcher Edwin Jackson.  Chicago Sun-Times reporter Gordon Wittenmyer wrote that the Yankees could be in the market for Jackson, especially since they are one of the only teams in the league that would probably be willing to take on Jackson's rather large salary.  He is currently in the second year of a four-year, $52 million contract and is owed about $26 million over the next couple seasons.  Apparently, a multitude of scouts attended Jackson's last start, and it's entirely possible the Yankees were one of the teams to send someone.

Jackson has bounced around quite a bit over his career, and while he's never been stellar, he's had a few decent seasons.  He accrued 10.7 fWAR from 2009-2011 pitching for the Tigers, Diamondbacks, White Sox, and Cardinals, and has averaged a 4.55 ERA, 4.21 FIP, and 6.97 K/9 over his 12-year major league career.  It's not great, but the Yankees will probably take what they can get at this point.  This year, Jackson has been pretty mediocre, posting a 5.61 ERA, a 4.27 FIP, and a 3.95 xFIP - he has, however, been striking out hitters at a career-best clip, notching an 8.13 K/9 ratio.  Since the Cubs seem to be interested in moving Jackson, it wouldn't be surprising to see his name keep popping up in trade rumors as we get closer to the trade deadline.

Another name that has been mentioned in rumors is Ian Kennedy.  The former Yankees prospect is currently a member of the San Diego Padres rotation, but with the Padres quite a ways back in the NL West, some have speculated that he might also be on the Yankees radar.  However, after deciding they won't move Andrew Cashner, it seems the Padres are thinking about holding onto Kennedy, too. Kennedy would certainly help bolster the rotation and has quietly had a solid 2014 so far, posting a 3.62 ERA and a 2.98 FIP with a 9.53 K/9 ratio (no wonder the Padres wouldn't mind keeping him).

The Yankees look to be major players at the trade deadline, so the rumors will keep flying for the next couple weeks.  Cashman has already snagged Brandon McCarthy (who has looked good so far), and will no doubt add another arm if he can.  Go Ninja Cash!

According to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News "the Yanks are not currently engaged on Kennedy, according to sources. We're also told that the Yankees are not interested in Bartolo Colon or the Cubs' Edwin Jackson." Things always change, though.