The Starting Pitching Market for the New York Yankees

With the recent trade of Dan Haren, the trade market is slowly beginning to diminish. Although Andy Pettitte wants to return now, Joe Girardi is playing the safe card and resting him. He surely doesn’t want to re-injure a pitcher of his caliber.

In order to secure a consistent one through five rotation, the Yankees should acquire a starter.

Why Trade Now?

Sergio Mitre continues to prove that he belongs in the bullpen. It is beyond me why the Yankees continue to let him start. That outing versus the Royals was absolutely atrocious.

If the Yankees want to win games with the temporary replacement of Andy Pettitte, they should either give Ivan Nova the start or trade for a proven starting pitcher.

If they trade now, Nova could pitch out of the bullpen. Vazquez and Mitre haven't been solid and the Yankees would improve with an efficient starter.

3. Ted Lilly

Ted Lilly has been rumored in a trade to New York. This pitcher from the Windy City has been struggling with the Cubs. At a 3-8 record, Lilly finds himself in quite a few pitching jams.

With the magic of Dave Eiland, can Lilly improve? The answer is yes.

Lilly shined versus the AL in interleague play throwing a one-hitter versus the White Sox. In my previous article, I stated that he would make a nice addition to the rotation. Now that Dan Haren is off of the market, Lilly's value has only increased.

The Yankees need to strike quickly in order to acquire Ted Lilly.

2. Fausto Carmona

Another pitcher rumored to be on the trading block is Fausto Carmona.

This 26-year-old, right-handed pitcher continues to shine for the Indians. With a weak offense, Carmona still wins games. At a 10-7 record, he would perfect the Yankees starting rotation.

Even if he had to go to the bullpen later in the season (very unlikely), I am sure he would shine there as well.

It would take a lot of prospects to land Carmona since he is one of the Indians' most prized pitchers. If the Indians want to develop a good starting pitcher, they would take the smart route and hold onto Carmona.

It has been rumored that the front-runners for Carmona are the Mets, but the Yankees have surprised us in the past.

1. Brett Myers

The pitcher that stands out the most is Brett Myers.

Even with the weak offense of the Houston Astros, Brett Myers continues to win games. In every one of his outings this year, he has pitched at least six innings, which the Yankees certainly have to consider.

Brett did not particularly do well in interleague play, giving up four runs in both of his outings versus the Yankees and Royals, respectively. However, you have to take into consideration that he faced two of the best-hitting teams in the American League.

With an ERA of 3.20 and a current 7-6 record, Myers could be a part of an offense and win more games.

Personally, I’d love to see him come to the Yankees rather than fellow Astros starter, Roy Oswalt.