Yankees Breakdown: Coming Down to the Wire

The final week of August was a wild turn of events for the New York Yankees, as a cold streak of games against the Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros concluded a 10-game homestand with only 5 wins. In response to a lack of offensive production against Houston, New York swiftly found a resurgence at the plate in Atlanta, pouring on a whopping 38 runs in 3 games against the Braves. 

At a record of 72-57, the Yankees sit one and a half games behind the surging Toronto Blue Jays (74-56). For New York, they begin a 3-game set at Fenway Park against the Red Sox on Monday before returning home for another 10-game homestand against Tampa Bay (64-66, -10), Baltimore (63-67, -11), and Toronto. While a favorable home schedule remains for the Yankees, the opposite belongs to Toronto, as the Blue Jays will take on two more road trips of seven or more games in the month of September and October. While the Rays and Orioles continue their lingering struggle to stay afloat, the American League East appears to be a two-team race, and for the Yankees and Blue Jays, seven games remain between both teams. 

The dog days of summer have officially passed, and the Yankees will wrap up August entering Monday night with a record of 15-13 this month. 33 games remain on the regular season schedule for New York, 26 of which are against divisional opponents. 

The final month of play will be integral to the Yankees' playoff hopes. Here's a breakdown of last week's games. 

Teixeira Goes Down, Who Steps Up?

It was ignorant to believe that a 35-year-old Mark Teixeira would manage to stay healthy for an entire season, but for the majority of the year, Teixeira's success and resurgence left many fans thankful for his clutch contributions. Mark's season has certainly been a year to remember, but unfortunately, the veteran first baseman suffered a severe bone bruise on his right leg on Aug. 17, after fouling a ball off his leg in the sixth inning against Minnesota. For an injury that was assumed to be a minor day-to-day stint, Teixeira's appearances have been significantly limited, as he has recorded only 3 at-bats since the injury occurred. Teixeira and the Yankees' medical staff has approached the injury with serious precautions, and his absence in the lineup has placed a burden on the top half of the batting order. Teixeira remains out of the lineup Monday night, and has yet to receive a timetable to return to action. In 111 games this season, Teixeira has driven in 79 runs and has belted 31 home runs, the most he has recorded of both stats since 2012. While his future this September remains in question, Manager Joe Girardi has filled the void temporarily, platooning rookie Greg Bird at first base since Aug. 13. Bird excelled in his first week in the League, hitting .333 with two homers and four RBI, but has slowly dipped his batting average into the .250's, contributing very little to the Yankee offense. During Spring Training, the front office tested Alex Rodriguez' talents at first base, but since the exhibition games in March, the Yankees's staff has refrained from placing Rodriguez in the field, and recent struggles from A-Rod in the batter's box show enough proof of wear and tear on a 40-year-old body. For now, Teixeira's health is of highest concern, and if he fails to be back on the lineup card soon, New York's playoff aspirations are arguably in jeopardy. 

Pitching Rotation Mood Swings



As if fans' prayers were answered, CC Sabathia was pulled during the third inning of last week's contest against Cleveland, as MRI tests later revealed inflammation in Sabathia's right knee, placing the once Yankees' ace on the 15-day disabled list. 2015 has been nothing short of a nightmare for Sabathia, as his inflated ERA of 5.27 is the highest of his career, while his win total of a measly 4 games is the second lowest mark in his 15 total seasons. It remains unclear as to whether or not Sabathia will return to his rotation slot if medically cleared to play next week, but with minimal contributions this season, it seems more likely that Sabathia will serve out of the bullpen if activated, considering the positive production rookie Luis Severino has given the staff since his promotion earlier this month. Since returning from the disabled list last week with a forearm strain, Michael Pineda is still searching for his lost groove, and New York is heavily reliant on his longevity and consistency. Masahiro Tanaka earned double digit wins for his second consecutive season on Friday, and fortunately for the Yankees' pampered asset, there have been no signs of injury to his right elbow or forearm that has forced past stints on the disabled list. New York's staff has placed 15th in the League in ERA (3.94), but continues to get opponents out through the art of the strikeout (1,082 SO- 6th in MLB). Since Nathan Eovaldi's implosion against his former team in Miami during mid-June, the young flame thrower has not lost a game in 13 straight decisions, showing significant improvement in his command, control, and confidence. Eovaldi is currently tied 3rd in the American League for most wins (14), but with those 14 wins comes incredible run support, as the Yankees' offense has scored six runs on average when Eovaldi takes the hill. Eovaldi's overall record of 14-2 is still impressive, but definitely misleading in determining his performance this season; however, there is no doubt that Eovaldi is gradually learning how to become an effective pitcher, and in the season's final month, the Yankees' coaching staff will have to either trust the 25-year-old in pressured situations, or limit his pitch count if things get ugly. Still, this dysfunctional pitching staff has remarkably been able to hold their own ground, and that alone deserves an applause. 

Brian Cashman's Smartest Claim 

It's no secret that the Yankees' front office was not heavily in favor of searching the market for an extra arm during July's trade deadline, but General Manager Brian Cashman still made headlines Monday afternoon after placing a waiver claim on ex-reliever David Robertson. Robertson, who has performed above the curve in his first season as the White Sox' closer, was part of Chicago's list of players on revocable waivers, which allows that respected team to take a player off waivers, regardless of a claim made or won from another team. In the sake of this claim, the Yankees surprisingly won the Robertson bid, but in all likelihood, the move was not made in hopes of him rejoining New York, but to make sure Toronto could not bring in Robertson as well. This sly move from Cashman was simply strategy, as New York was not interested in trading for the reliever, nor eating $38 million remaining on Robertson's contract, considering that the free agent declined the Yankees' qualifying offer of nearly $16 million this past winter. Cashman's only intentions were to make sure Toronto had no chance at snatching Robertson, and with the claim period now expired, the White Sox will have to stand pat with their closer, taking away any advantage the Blue Jays may or may not have wanted to have. 


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Yankees Breakdown: The Divisional Race Begins

After being swept at home to the red-hot Toronto Blue Jays last weekend, the once large divisional lead for the Yankees dwindled, and while the Indians stole two of three games from New York this past week in Cleveland, the Yankees entered Toronto in second place for the first time since July 1, trailing the Blue Jays by half a game in the AL East standings. Fortunately for the Yankees, Toronto's 11-game win streak was snapped Friday evening with the help of Carlos Beltran, as Saturday was a similar case with New York claiming a crucial weekend series at Rogers Centre through a complete game victory from Masahiro Tanaka. 

The Yankees return to the Bronx this Monday to begin a 10-game home stand, hosting the slumping Minnesota Twins, the sly Cleveland Indians, and the AL West leading Houston Astros. Luckily for New York, 20 of their next 27 games occur at Yankee Stadium, as the longest road trip remaining is to Tampa for a three game set in mid-September. New York's previous losing streak left the city in panic, but with sole possession of first place returned, a tight divisional race between the Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles will determine the AL East champion in the final two months of play. 

Here's a breakdown of last week's games. 


Beltran's Weekend

The star of the Toronto series was undoubtedly Carlos Beltran, as a pinch-hit 3-run homer in the 8th inning of Friday's game helped capture a 4-3 Yankees victory in dramatic fashion. The next day, Beltran continued his success with a solo shot in the 1st inning, along with a double in the 8th to help claim the series north of the border. Unfortunately in Sunday's contest, Beltran's previous success was not reciprocated, as a controversial mishap on a fly ball kept Toronto's 3rd inning alive, which ultimately concluded with a 3-run rally for the Blue Jays. Beltran's miscue cost New York the chance of a sweep, but his late dominance in the batters box is a positive sign for the Yankees' offense. When eliminating Beltran's offensive numbers from April, he is an overall .296 hitter this season, including 12 home runs and 33 RBI. With Beltran's health as a vital concern, manager Joe Girardi has successfully limited Beltran's appearances, which has increased his longevity and eliminated any recent mental or physical health distractions. Although Carlos is no longer a Gold Glove outfielder, the 38-year-old veteran's approach at the plate has made an impact, and if his numbers stay consistent, the wonders of Beltran's retirement may be dismissed until his contract is up after the 2016 campaign. 

Severino Looks Comfy 

In his first three Major League starts, rookie starter Luis Severino has embraced his role in the Yankees' rotation, as the 21-year-old phenom has already posted 18 strikeouts in 17 total innings. His outing on Sunday resulted in a loss due to Beltran's costly error, boosting his ERA to 3.18, but Severino has limited hitters to a .222 batting average, proving that his high velocity fastball and commanding slider is no contest to opposing hitters. Along with a changeup that falls off the table, Severino has shown to be a reliable asset thus far, and with another start against Cleveland upcoming, the rookie will look to earn his first win in the Show. 

The Health of A-Rod and Tex

During New York's five-game losing skid, both Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira combined for a measly 5 hits in 42 at bats (.119 BA), a disconcerting performance by the Yankees' most productive hitters. Both A-Rod and Tex have driven in 142 runs with 55 homers, contributing 27% of the Yankees' total runs batted in (529) and 35% of total home runs (156). The health of these stars are an integral part to New York's success this year, and while both players have been on a season-long surge, there have been small signs of wear and tear this August. For Alex Rodriguez, the 2015 season has been nothing short of spectacular, as the 40-year-old was a .282 hitter by the end of July. Unfortunately, the month of August has not been one and the same, as Rodriguez has hit .143 with only 2 RBI in his last 13 games. His slugging percentage has also dipped drastically, as Rodriguez' last home run came in Arlington against the Rangers on July 27. It is to no one's surprise that A-Rod's production has declined, considering that the last time he played over 100 games was during the 2012 campaign, but with 46 games remaining in the regular season, Joe Girardi must find a sensible solution to fix Rodriguez' struggle, whether that may be reducing his starts by a game or two per week, or by limiting his number of at-bats per game. In regard to Teixeira, the late promotion of infielder Greg Bird was made in order to lift weight off Teixeira's shoulders, as the rookie Bird has already appeared in three games this past week. It was unclear whether New York would call up the touted prospect this season, as Bird only recently earned a promotion to Triple-A Scranton, but it looks as if Bird is here to stay, and with September call ups on the horizon, New York will eventually go to a 40-man roster, which will allow Teixeira to get days off when needed. Teixeira has been the Yankees' most valuable player, and his overall health is of the highest concern during this home stretch of games. 





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Yankees Breakdown: A Red Hot July

After a hectic week of blockbuster trades scattered around the league, the Yankees chose to hold their ground, and managed to secure six wins during a ten-game road trip that concluded in Chicago on Sunday. Behind those six victories were not only strong outings from starting pitchers, but offensive explosions from the Yankee bats. While in Minnesota, the Yankees collected 16 runs in three games with a little help from Alex Rodriguez, who hit three home runs that Saturday night. The second destination was Arlington for a four-game set with the Rangers, and in the second game of the series, New York's offense brought home 21 runs, the most runs scored in a game this year, and the most for the Yankees since reaching 22 against Oakland during the 2011 season. New York concluded a ten-day trip on the southside of Chicago, and claimed two of three from the White Sox behind exceptional pitching performances from Nathan Eovaldi and Ivan Nova. In ten games, the Bronx Bombers tallied 64 total runs, keeping a steady lead in the American League East standings with a 59-45 record. New York opens a brief six-game homestand with Boston on Tuesday and Toronto on Friday, and come Monday, only 24 road games remain on the Yankees' schedule, including three games at Citi Field against the Mets next month. To the Yankees' advantage, all 58 remaining games take place on the Eastern time zone, as the longest flight left will be en route to Tampa's Tropicana Field in mid-September. While the concerns of the team are focused around an ailing pitching staff, the offense has yet to show signs of regression, and a feast or famine style of play has grown to become the norm for the Yankees. 

Here's a breakdown of last week's games. 

Tex vs. Didi: Players of the Week

Mark Teixeira's renaissance season continued throughout the road trip, as the All-Star slugger earned a .389 batting average, including five homers and nine runs batted in. The numbers Teixeira has posted have been nothing short of spectacular, and in the month of July, he tallied an extra four long balls, making himself a sure candidate for the American League MVP. Teixeira has been in the spotlight all season, but even he was not the hottest Yankee last week. The Player of the Week award rightfully belongs to shortstop Didi Gregorious, who hit .520 in his last seven games, along with seven runs and 11 RBI.  Didi's recent hot streak has been a relief to the coaching staff, as Gregorious finished July with a .317 average, compared to a measly .258 in June. Steady progress on both offense and defense has been evident from the 25-year-old, as Gregorious has only committed a single error in his last 34 games. Time would only tell if Gregorious was up to the challenge at baseball's most difficult position, but it appears that he has finally grown comfortable, which is a positive sign for the Yankee brass, as they do not necessarily need to negotiate with any free agent infielders this upcoming winter. 

Pitching Woes Can Be Fixed

The loss of Michael Pineda due to elbow inflammation has left the Yankees' executives scurrying for temporary starting pitching, and a move made on Friday was successfully completed internally, as phenom Luis Severino was promoted to pitch Wednesday evening against Boston. General Manager Brian Cashman revealed that Severino will not have any pitching restrictions, and is expected to be on the 25-man active roster for the remainder of the season, contingent on a postseason berth. Severino will fill the void of Pineda's absence, but an extra arm is still a necessity, and the solution may be found on baseball's bear market. The San Diego Padres refused to fold their cards this past Friday during the non-waiver trade deadline, but with San Diego clearly on the outside looking in for a postseason invitation, changes to the roster could be made within the month in regard to their All-Stars. One name that stands out among the rest is starter James Shields, who has earned an 8-4 record with a 3.74 ERA in his fist year in the National League. Shields remains under contract for three more seasons, and is due nearly $56 million before becoming a free agent in 2019. If San Diego is looking to dump salary, and if Shields is a potential candidate that clears waivers, he may be a realistic solution for the Yankees, as Shields would remain in pinstripes for an extended period of time. Picking up Shields' contract would not be an issue for New York, as this winter's free agents David Price and Johnny Cueto will be requesting a deal worth two or three times the amount of money that Shields is making. With a lower salary next season, Shields' contract would be flexible around the roster, allowing the Yankees to add an ace, while also releasing any overpriced burdens. 

The Divisional Race 

While Baltimore and Toronto traded for power and depth on the offensive ends, both division rivals sit six games behind the Yankees, tied for second place in the AL East. The Yankees coasted through their final long road trip of the year, but both Baltimore and Toronto's remaining schedules are by no means a cakewalk. The Orioles begin a ten-game trip of their own Monday night in Oakland, which also includes visits to Anaheim and Seattle. Baltimore will also travel for ten straight days in mid-September, as they square off against Tampa Bay, Washington, and Boston.  For the Blue Jays, they take on an eight-game trip starting on Aug, 17 between Philadelphia, Anaheim, and Texas, while also facing 17 road games on the September calendar, the most in the division. Of the Yankees' final 18 series, only nine are against teams with a record over .500, leaving New York in the driver's seat in terms of a potential division crown. 

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The Trade Deadline Strikes, Yankees Stand Pat

For the New York Yankees, a franchise that has notoriously been involved in serious negotiations during past trade deadlines, opted to flip the script for this season's deadline, and stood pat as the clock struck 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon. While it was presumed that New York was in the market for a back-end starter to help a currently ailing rotation, GM Brian Cashman abstained from pulling the trigger on a blockbuster deal. 

A key component to Cashman's reluctance was due to teams' overwhelming requests for New York's top prospects, specifically pitcher Luis Severino, and fielders Aaron Judge and Jorge Mateo. For the first time in recent memory, a brand name player was not shipped to the Bronx; however, Cashman did make a minor move on Thursday, as he sent minor league players Ramon Flores and Jose Ramirez to the Mariners in exchange for utility man Dustin Ackley. The intent of Ackley's acquisition is to increase the production from the Yankees' bench, as the names of Garrett Jones and Stephen Drew have failed to excel. 

In correspondence to the move, the Yankees chose to designate Jones for assignment Friday morning, while also sending spot-starter Chris Capuano to Triple-A Scranton. Due to these two demotions and the recent arm injury to pitcher Michael Pineda, the Yankees are currently left with two open slots on the active roster, and a corresponding move will soon be made. 

With 101 games already in the books, along with a six-game lead in the American League East, the Yankees have proven to be comfortable and confident with their respected roster. Although the year may be New York's to lose, Brian Cashman and Yankees' executives have shown commitment to a long-term investment: the team's future. 

Here's a quick recap of what happened this week in baseball, and what to expect from the Yankees within the final two months of season play. 

The Blue Jays Are All-In

Baseball's two biggest blockbuster trades were constructed prior to Friday afternoon, as Rockies' slugger and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and pitcher David Price were added to the Blue Jays' roster. While Toronto's lineup already possessed potent forces in the names of Jose Bautista and Josh Donaldson, Jays' GM Alex Anthopoulos looked to create a monster on the lineup card. With a healthy Tulowitzki on the field at Rogers Centre, Toronto is looking to double their production on the offensive end. As Tulowitzki was dealt Tuesday, Tigers' ace David Price was shipped Thursday in a move that shocked the baseball world. With a third place record of 52-51, the Blue Jays have under-preformed on the pitching end, and with an All-Star southpaw like Price at the helm, the Blue Jays have made up for a lack of talented and consistent starting pitching. With both studs placed aside, Toronto also gained smaller pieces, as they added depth to their bullpen and outfield with the acquisitions of veteran LaTroy Hawkins from Colorado, and outfielder Ben Revere from Philadelphia. Toronto has placed all of their chips into the middle of the table, hoping for a quick turnaround and push to the postseason, a daunting task that has not been accomplished for nearly 22 seasons. 

Yanks Swap For Ackley

Thursday's deal for Dustin Ackley was in response to an evident lack of production from the Yankees' bench players. Ackley was the 2nd overall pick in the 2009 draft, who made his Major League debut with Seattle in 2011. In his 5th season, Ackley's numbers have been relatively sub-par (.215, 6 HR, 19 RBI), but he has already shown pop in his bat, as he belted 16 home runs and drove in 65 RBI last year in 143 games. The 23-year-old appears to be a replacement for the struggling Stephen Drew, but due to Ackley's versatility in the field, he has only played a single game at second base this entire season, forcing manager Joe Girardi to be patient in maneuvering Ackley on the defensive end. With Ackley eligible for arbitration this winter, the Yankees may look at Ackley as only a mere rental. 

Severino Called Up

As Brian Cashman refused to deal away his rising stars, New York's biggest move this week was done internally, as highly-touted pitching prospect Luis Severino was called up from Triple-A Scranton once Friday's deadline passed. This decision was made after it was revealed that starting pitcher Michael Pineda was placed on the 15-day disabled list with forearm inflammation, a similar injury that sidelined ace Masahiro Tanaka and closer Andrew Miller for nearly four weeks. Severino attracted the Yankees' eyes with strong performances in Spring Training, and since mid-March, the 21-year-old flame-thrower has been nothing short of spectacular in the minors. In Severino's 11 games in Triple-A, he has earned a record of 7-0, posting an ERA of 1.91 in 61.1 innings pitched. With 50 strikeouts added to his name, Severino will immediately fill a rotation slot, and hopefully excel in a competitive division race. As arguably the highest regarded prospect in the Yankees' system, youngster Severino will serve as an integral part to New York's postseason aspirations while Pineda is sidelined. 

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What Troy Tulowitzki Means to the Yankees

Late Monday night, baseball's first blockbuster trade reached the media, as Colorado Rockies' 
shortstop Troy Tulowtizki was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays. The deal sent Jays' shortstop Jose Reyes packing for Colorado, while also shipping out highly touted pitching prospect Miguel Castro and two other minor league players in exchange for the All-Star shortstop. 

With Tulowitzki now in the American League East, Toronto's potent lineup has grown even stronger, as Tulowtizki brings power and average to a lineup with the most collected runs in all of baseball (528). 

Tulowitzki requested a trade to a contending ball club, and although Toronto was a surprising candidate, the 30-year old shortstop's wish was granted, as the Blue Jays now prove to be solely committed on reaching the postseason for the first time since their title run in 1993. 

Here is what the Tulowitzki deal means to the New York Yankees.


Toronto Has Drawn First Blood

Whether it was decided last week or only yesterday evening that Toronto would make a run for Tulowitzki, Jays' General Manager Alex Anthopoulos has forced the Yankees' hand, despite Toronto being seven games out of first place in the division standings. Toronto has suffered the longest postseason drought in all of baseball, as 1993 was the last time that the Rogers Centre hosted October baseball. Toronto has failed to contend for a division crown for nearly twenty-two consecutive seasons, but with this blockbuster deal, the pressure now lies on the shoulders of Yankees' General Manager Brian Cashman. It has never been in the Yankees nature to abstain from making a deal at the trade deadline, but with a new superstar competing in the divisional race, Cashman will have to up the ante with trade proposals. New York is in dire need of a starting pitcher, and while analysts have suggested that a low-tier pitcher such as Mike Leake or Mat Latos could be the solution, the Yankees are now in attack position, and the All-Star arms of Cole Hamels and David Price may not be a fantasy in the Bronx after all. This move would strictly be in retaliation to Toronto's, and Cashman is fully aware that the team north of the border currently has a slight edge in the final two months of season play. New York's strategy needs a few alterations in order to keep their somewhat 'comfortable' division lead in tact. 

Toronto Isn't Finished Yet

As of now, the Blue Jays arguably have the most dangerous lineup in the American League, and although Toronto's offense has been lethal, their pitching has been a polar opposite. Blue Jays starters have a combined ERA of 4.38, which ties with Cleveland for 7th-highest in the League. Veterans Mark Buehrle and R.A. Dickey have managed to stay healthy, but Toronto has been deprived of an ace on the staff. Since the middle of May, it was evident that in order for the Blue Jays to contend, a starting pitcher was a necessity. An arm has not been added yet, but do not believe Toronto has made their last call. Prior to yesterday's trade, the Blue Jays' team salary was nearly $116 million, but with the acquisition of Tulowitzki, nearly $85 million has been added on, leaving Toronto currently with the 3rd highest salary in baseball. This could possibly force the Jays to trade away one of their top caliber bats, such as Edwin Encarnacion, who is due $10 million at the end of the season. The catch with Encarnacion is that his contract is up after this year, but with a $10 million club option, Toronto may look to trade him away now, in order to find an affordable pitcher who could also create some cap room. Expect at least one more deal to include Toronto's name by Friday afternoon.

Tulo Can't Be Content

Unfortunately for Tulowitzki, his contract does not include a no-trade clause, which ultimately could have decided whether he would have accepted a deal to Toronto in the first place. Rockies General Manager Jeff Bridich admitted to the media that he was not going to negotiate with a team that Tulowitzki did not initially approve, but with a handful of contending teams in need or a shortstop and bat, Tulowitzki was beyond shocked by his new destination. Colorado's Coors Field was home to Tulowitzki for ten seasons, and with Denver's high altitude and thin air, Tulowitzki's offensive statistics have been inflated at home. Tulowitzki is a .321 lifetime hitter in Colorado, but with a career road average of .276, the shortstop's production dips drastically. With Toronto's Rogers Centre as Tulowitzki's new home, there lies a portion of good news, and also bad news. Tulowitzki is a .327 lifetime hitter in dome ballparks, but with a measly three career games played on artificial turf, Tulowitzki may struggle to stay healthy on the defensive end. His long history of injures precedes him, as Tulowitzki's last three seasons have included season-ending left hip and groin surgeries. The elements of Rogers Centre could become his kryptonite, but only time will tell if Tulowitzki is fully capable of taking on the role as the Blue Jays' every day shortstop.




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Yankees Breakdown: Creating Separation

While the Bronx Bombers concluded the first half of the season on a high note, the second half began in similar style, as the Yankees have won three straight series since the All-Star break, winning eight of their last ten games. New York has not lost a series since traveling to Anaheim in late-June, and after sweeping the crafty Orioles last week, the Yankees made greater separation in the American League East standings, creating a comfortable amount of space among their division rivals. In the midst of a ten-game road trip, New York starts a four-game set in Texas tonight, concluding travel on the south side of Chicago this weekend. 

Here's a breakdown of last week's games. 

It's A-Rod's World- We're Just Living In It

There's no need to reiterate the fact that Alex Rodriguez has been an integral part to the Yankees' success, but when looking closer at the numbers, his contributions are confounding. Of New York's 96 games played so far, Rodriguez has been on the lineup card 90 times, the most appearances he has had since the 2012 season. Currently, A-Rod leads the team in on-base percentage (.375), which also places 14th amongst the League leaders. Rodriguez undoubtedly made his presence felt Saturday night in Minnesota, as the veteran belted three home runs in the Yankees' 8-run comeback win. It was the third time Rodriguez had reached the plateau in pinstripes, and the first since tallying three homers and five RBI against Kansas City in 2010. Aside from his efforts at the plate, A-Rod has adapted to a more humble approach to the game, making him a favorite in the clubhouse. When placed in front of the microphone, Rodriguez has deflected personal questions, and does not hesitate to mention the game's key contributors. With 23 home runs posted this year, he is on pace to finish with 35 home runs, the most he's hit since 2008. And one more thing: Rodriguez celebrates his 40th birthday today, defying all odds. 

Pitching Is Needed, But Via The Trade?

It depends on what is pragmatic to General Manager Brian Cashman. Yankee starters this season have a combined 4.26 ERA, the 10th-highest in baseball, while opponents have hit .272, the 5th-highest batting average against.  Starting arms have been hit hard, and the strikeout numbers have been sub-par, as New York is tied for 15th with Milwaukee at 464 total K's.  The Yankees are in need of a solid starter to assist the back end of the rotation, but at what cost? According to CBS' Jon Heyman, Yankee executives have placed four prospects on the 'untouchable list': outfielder Aaron Judge, infielders Greg Bird and Jorge Mateo, and pitcher Luis Severino. Of the four, Severino has received the most attention, as the 21-year old flame-thrower has posted a stellar 6-0 record with a 2.11 ERA in Triple-A Scranton. Although manager Joe Girardi has insisted that Severino will not see the Bronx until September call ups, Severino's talents may be needed come this weekend, for if the Yankees do shop for a lower-tier starter such as Mike Leake or Mat Latos, a potential trade candidate could be a reliever such as Adam Warren.  If that is the case, then the Yankees will have to add depth to their bullpen, and Severino may be the solution to that circumstance.  As of now, it appears that New York will stand pat with the roster they have. But don't be fooled- even when it does not seem possible, the Yankees are always in talks for big brand names, and not one star or top-prospect is really "untouchable" this week.  



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Trade Buzz: Who the Yankees DON'T Need

As Major League Baseball's trade market has already heated up with July's trade deadline approaching next Friday, a number of teams have publicly confessed to be sellers, leaving an astounding number of valuable players on the chopping block for the remaining contending teams to grapple over. Yankees' General Manager Brian Cashman has admitted to reporters that he intends to stand pat with his active roster, and that no major trades are on the horizon. But could Cashman's word of mouth be a smokescreen to something larger? Are prospects such as Rob Refsnyder, Luis Severino, and Aaron Judge untouchable? With a comfortable cushion in the American League East, will the Yankees stick to their guns, or look to enhance their roster for a legitimate championship run? 

Here are a few players that New York will consider, but should ignore this summer. 

P- David Price (DET): 9-3, 2.32 ERA, 127 K

With the loss of Max Scherzer to the Nationals last winter, Detroit was left with a gaping hole in their pitching rotation. Holding on to both Scherzer and lefty David Price was not a realistic or affordable solution, so management decided to hold on to one arm for the 2015 campaign. Once former ace Justin Verlander landed on the disabled list with a tricep injury, the Tigers were forced to put all of their eggs into the David Price basket, and thus far, Price has done the job in Detroit. The lefty has handled his division rivals, as his ERA against the AL Central is at 1.71, while opponents have collectively hit .242 in Price's 19 starts. In 132 innings pitched, Price's strikeout to walk ratio is 127:26, the seventh highest in the American League. The perks to Price is his longevity and health, but his performance has been so dominant, that Detroit will most likely fail to keep their southpaw come this winter, as Price becomes a free agent. With significant injuries to the Tigers' bullpen and first base slugger, Miguel Cabrera, Detroit has lacked competitiveness in a surging AL Central race, forcing management to dump Price, who is due nearly $20 million at the end of the year.

P- Johnny Cueto (CIN): 6-6, 2,79 ERA, 115 K

Cueto has transformed into one of baseball's best right handed arms, but his overall lack of consistency has left critics skeptical about Cueto's reliability. First off, dealing with a low run scoring National League club like Cincinnati can explain Cueto's wins and losses, but when examining his numbers this year, his potential somewhere else is slightly disconcerting. Surprisingly, Cueto's run support has been exceptional, as the Reds average 2.7 runs with their ace on the hill, but Cueto has only 11 quality starts in 18 total appearances. Less than a month ago, Cueto was scratched from his scheduled start due to arm fatigue, leaving many wondering if Cueto's health was at jeopardy. There has yet to be any reason to believe that a season-ending injury looms, but there have been red flags with his health and mental approach, which could explain his fluctuating numbers and ultimately affect his value on the market. 

2B- Brandon Phillips (CIN): .281 BA, 5 HR, 32 RBI

For a few seasons now, Phillips has been on the Yankees' radar during late July and early January. As one of the best second baseman in the league for the last decade, the issues around Phillips have been his latest injuries and contract disputes. Prior to this season, Phillips' offensive attributes dipped, as his batting average hung around .260 for the majority of 2013 and 2014. Luckily this season, he found his old swing, and boosted his average back into the low-.280's. However, his watermark of 103 runs driven in in 2013 appear to be video game numbers compared to his hitting with runners in scoring position this season (.260, 24 RBI). The reasoning? It could be the Reds' lack of offensive production and that Phillips is generally the table setter, but at the age of 34, Phillips' state of health sparked concern last season when the veteran missed nearly two months with a thumb injury. Phillips is under contact until the end of the 2017 season, and is due roughly $25 million by the time he is eligible for free agency. Despite some minor red flags, Phillips' defense is spectacular, as he competes for his fifth Gold Glove. The Yankees have grown content with consistent defense from Stephen Drew, though there is no doubt that Phillips in pinstripes would be an upgrade on both ends. 

P- Mike Leake (CIN): 7-5. 3.95 ERA, 81 K

As a teammate to Cueto, Mike Leake has gained a great amount of popularity this summer as a potential back end starter to a contending ballclub. Leake's statistics are not as impressive as Price's or Cueto's, but Leake has earned seven wins with the Reds, limiting his opponents to a .252 batting average in 19 games. Although the average is down, the total runs and hits surrendered is not, as Leake has given up 115 hits in 120.2 innings, averaging 8.6 hits per outing. Leake's velocity sits in the low to mid-90s, and the upside to his game has yet to be found.  The 27-year old is still waiting for his breakout season, but with a little help from the trade market, Leake may be a cheap solution to a team in need of an arm. 

 2B- Chase Utley (PHI): .179 BA, 4 HR, 25 RBI

Much like Philadelphia's offense, Utley's season has been anemic; in his contract year with the Phillies, the 36-year old veteran has collectively hit a measly .179 in 65 games, and has failed to stay on the field with multiple setbacks to an injured ankle. Utley's All-Star status is now behind him, and for a man who played in 155 games last year, the odds of Utley returning to old form are slim. Philadelphia will evidently part ways with the second baseman in October, and the lingering ankle injury may force Utley to hang up the cleats for good. Although Utley's offensive numbers are a smaller sample size in comparison to Stephen Drew's, it is reasonable to argue that Utley has been the worst second baseman in the league, and if any team is even slightly interested in the vet, Philadelphia should not hesitate to ship him out for a low cost. 


P- Matt Latos (MIA): 4-6, 4.48 ERA, 74 K

Latos left Cincinnati for a brief one-year stint with Miami, and while analysts projected the right hander as a valuable asset come mid-July, Latos' numbers say otherwise. Despite his performance not being reciprocated by Miami's offense, Latos has surrendered 79 hits in 82.1 innings pitched, and when facing the top-5 hitters in a lineup, opponents have earned a batting average of .282.  Injuries to his knee and foot have limited his outings, and while also renowned as an unfriendly face in the clubhouse, there are affordable solutions elsewhere for the back end of the rotation. 



PHOTOS BY
DAVID KOHL/ ASSOCIATED PRESS
ANTHONY GRUPPUSO/ USA TODAY
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