New York Yankees: 5 Players Who Can Be Traded and Their Possible Destinations

As long as there is a trade market, the New York Yankees will never be finished trying to perfect their roster as such a feat is nearly impossible in Major League Baseball.

But with an abnormal amount of depth in their starting rotation and a few players on their contract years, New York has plenty of options should they find any player on the trading block attractive.

Say, Matt Cain, Cole Hamels or perhaps a top prospect?

Wishful thinking, of course, but it doesn't change the fact that the Yankees have a ton of trade assets this season.

Here's a look at some players who could be traded during the 2012 season.

Nick Swisher

With the Yankees cutting payroll over the next two seasons and more important players to re-sign, it's highly unlikely that the Bombers will bring back Nick Swisher after 2012.

If he hopes to remain in the Bronx, Swish will have to truly earn those pinstripes this season.

Swish has put up solid numbers during three regular seasons in the Bronx:

2009: 29 HR, 82 RBI, .249 AVG

2010: 29 HR, 89 RBI, .288 AVG

2011: 23 HR, 85 RBI, .260 AVG

Despite good run production from the corner outfield spot, Swisher has greatly lacked success in the postseason which is something quite valuable to an annual World Series contender.

Swish has hit .128, .176 and .211 respectively in the playoffs during his tenure in the Bronx.

With their bench depth, the Yanks could replace Swisher's bat should they trade him at the deadline. A corner outfield with Swish's type of production can bring back a lot of value when packaged in a deal.

I'm sure general manager Brian Cashman will explore his options.

Trade Target: Matt Cain of San Francisco Giants

The Giants have been unable to come to terms with Cain and the more 2012 progresses, the more sense it will make for San Fran to move their co-ace starting pitcher.

Cain will garner a huge package in return, and the Yankees have the pieces to do it. Along with some of their top prospects, Swish could be included to give San Fran some much needed offensive help for a lot cheaper than the future cost of Cain.

Just don't expect this one to happen unless the Giants are well out of it by the trade deadline.

Phil Hughes

The entrance of Andy Pettitte back on the Yankees' roster has thrown a wrench in the plans of the Bombers' pitching staff and one of those affected is Phil Hughes.

Hughes struggled mightily in 2011 and did not pan out the way New York had hoped after he won 18 games the season before.

Hughes will only be 26 this year and as a former top prospect, still has a ton of upside and value on the trade market. If the Yanks find a team looking to unload a veteran starter and replace him with a younger arm, Hughes could be the guy the Yanks include in the deal.

Trade Target: Cole Hamels of Philadelphia Phillies

After avoiding arbitration to the tune of $15 million, Hamels is set to be a free agent after this season, and if he can match his 2011 input in 2012, the Phillies left-hander could garner a major contract.

Having over $40 million already wrapped up in Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee, the Phils could look for a young return with some value. Packaged with some prospects and/or fellow disgruntled starter Freddy Garcia, the Yanks could make this possibility a reality.

Freddy Garcia

Like Hughes, Garcia was just as unhappy about Pettitte's comeback attempt as there will be one less spot for the veteran starter in the Yanks' starting five.

And he wasn't afraid to show it.

So now the Bombers have a disgruntled veteran for whom they only have a one-year commitment with. Garcia does have value on the trade market as starting pitching is always at a premium.

Garcia's 2011 input was impressive, and clearly he still has the stuff to give a team in need of pitching some depth in their rotation.

Because of Garcia's displeasure with his current starting situation, it might not take much for the Yanks to move him as long as Garcia is on the same page with his current team.

Trade Target: Mid-Level Prospect(s) of Miami Marlins

Seeing as how the Yankees are set at almost every position and might be a little desperate to get rid of an angry Garcia, they won't be looking for much in return for him.

The Marlins have a solid farm system with some intriguing young players that they could use to acquire Garcia from the Bombers.

This is purely speculation on my part, but some rumors have connected Garcia to Miami because of his relationship with manager Ozzie Guillen from their days with the Chicago White Sox.

Rafael Soriano

Rafael Soriano's future with the Yankees in 2012 depends upon the return of Joba Chamberlain. That return is set to take place sometime around June or July at the latest.

That will be before the MLB trade deadline and enough time for the Bombers to figure out if Joba is ready to take an important role out of the bullpen, namely the seventh-inning role currently owned by Soriano.

Sori is set to make $11 million this season and that will get a boost to $13 million in 2013. There's no doubt that a team cutting payroll doesn't want to spend that on their seventh-inning guy and potential setup man next season.

New York will be looking to move the overpaid pitcher and might have to pick up some of this salary to do it.

Trade Target: Top-Level Prospects of Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona doesn't look to have a stable solution in their 'pen for the closer role with J.J. Putz the leading candidate to take the job, and we all know how inconsistent he's been the past few seasons.

The same goes for the entire D-Backs' bullpen.

Making a run at the playoffs again in 2012, Arizona could look for a final solution to their relieving woes and make a deal to take Soriano off the Yankees' hands.

At most, the D-Backs are looking at giving up a top-tier prospect for Sori, which will be dependent upon how much of his contract New York is willing to pick up.

The less money the Yanks cover, the lesser the prospect they'll get back.

Hiroki Kuroda

This one is a major stretch considering Hiroki Kuroda has a full no-trade clause, but that does leave a small window for him to be moved at his sole discretion.

New York's pitching situation has become an ever-changing situation this spring, and it's no secret that someone eventually will have to be either left out or traded. There's just no telling when that will happen.

But if Kuroda has a problem in New York and can't adjust to the tougher offensive division he's up against, Kuroda could try and make an exit to the West coast.

And no, not the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Trade Target: Top-Level Prospects of Arizona Diamondbacks

Yet another trade possibility with Arizona.

The D-Backs were in hot pursuit of Kuroda during the offseason and even offered him $13 million for the 2012 season, while his deal with the Yankees was worth $3 million less.

Clearly the D-Backs liked what they saw and would be willing to bring Kuroda back to the division where he had success. No harm in going with what works as long as the Yanks get a solid prospect in return.