MLB Tribune

New York Yankees Trade Deadline Possibilities

by Scooter on 06/28/2010 in MLB News, MLB Trade Rumors

As the trade deadline approaches and teams who are clearly out of contention will start their own fire sales. The Yankees, the best team in baseball could use a little help to improve their chances of being the team to beat in 2010.

The Yankees pitching has been good, but there’s one question mark and that’s A.J. Burnett. The Yankees could offer Burnett in a trade, but the Yankees will have to pay a lot of cash. The Yankees signed A.J. Burnett to a five-year, $82.5 million contract. The Yankees owe A.J. Burnett $58.3MM through 2013. I doubt the Yankees would make this move.

A.J. Burnett is having the worst June in his career. In June, he is 0-5 and has given up 29 earned runs in that span. His overall record in 2010 is 6-7 with a 5.25 ERA.

The Yankees need security in their already good rotation. What could the Yankees do by the trade deadline to improve their rotation?

They could sign any of the following players if available;

Cliff Lee may be heading to the Twins or Mets. I am not counting the Yankees out.

Carlos Zambrano for A.J. Burnett, but the Cubs would be taking on almost $13MM to make the swap. I do not think Zambrano would be a good fit after his blow up the other day.

Roy Oswalt is making $15 million with a contract for $16 million in 2011. This looks like a fair swap for Burnett, but the Yankees would still need to pay cash for the remaining two years. Oswalt is 5-10, but has a much better ERA (3.55) then Burnett and he is 7 months younger if that matters.

What are your thoughts about the Yankees improving their rotation for the second half?