Yankees Trade Rumors: 5 Starting Pitchers New York Shouldn't Target

The New York Yankees are once again in heated trade negotiations as the July 31 MLB trade deadline approaches.

Aside from the utmost delusional Yankees fan, most realize this pitching rotation simply isn’t good enough to compete for a World Series. Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia have been excellent, by their standards. They have far and away exceeded their expectations for this season, but how many people truly believe they will continue this pace toward and through the postseason?

I am not willing to bank World Series aspirations on these two. Keep in mind that Phil Hughes still isn’t the same man he was last year and continues to get roughed up. Aside from CC Sabathia, who can the Bronx Bombers truly hang their hat on? A.J. Burnett? Ha!

General manager Brian Cashman knows he needs to make a deal, but how willing is he to part ways with his prospects? Thus far, he is rather unwilling, unless a deal for "King Felix" Hernandez came around, which is unlikely.

Nearly every possible pitcher remotely near the trade block has been linked to coming to the Bronx. With a host of mediocre and below-average pitchers littering the market, here are five players the Yankees should not target for Sunday’s trade deadline.

5. Derek Lowe, Atlanta Braves

Derek Lowe may be a respectable name, but not for what Atlanta is paying him. He is owed around $20 million between now and next season.

Sorry, but for his production, we can move on and silence that noise.

The crafty veteran could enjoy a renaissance in the Bronx, I guess. I mean, it’s worked for Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia, but I’m not banking on him enjoying that type of success coming from the National League back to the American League.

He has not pitched in the AL since 2004 when he was with the Red Sox. I’m sorry, but a seven-year gap is just not going to cut it for me.

He is currently 6-8 with a 4.49 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 84 K’s. He has not had a sub-4.00 ERA since 2008 when he was with the Dodgers.

Of course, it would be great to have his experience at the tail end of the rotation moving forward, but only if it costs the Yankees a minimal prospect and the Braves are on the hook for most of his payroll. Neither is likely to happen, so adios, Lowe.

4. Erik Bedard, Seattle Mariners

I guess you can say Rich Harden is more fragile than Erik Bedard, but at least Harden is good for an incredible start during his handful of appearances each year.

Bedard is one of the most injury-prone pitchers in the majors. Seattle has yet to receive any return in its investment in him and by golly it looks like it never will.

He is expected to come off the disabled list and pitch later this week. For Bombers fans worldwide, they better hope he stinks up the joint to prevent Cashman from even considering a deal.

I understand Bedard has solid career numbers and has even done a nice job this season with a 4-6 record, 3.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP, but the Mariners are simply asking for too much. They apparently want a nice haul in return for his services, which the Yanks need to stay away from.

Let the Red Sox grab him and risk getting rocked by the Bombers down the stretch. More importantly, let the Sox deal with his consistent injury woes.

3. Aaron Harang, San Diego Padres

Harang’s name surfaced in the rumor mill a few weeks ago with the NL Central teams expected to be all over him.

We can only hope the Bombers don’t emerge as a candidate to acquire his services.

Aaron is enjoying a bounce-back season in the galaxy known as Petco Park in San Diego. He currently has an unthinkable 9-2 record with a 3.45 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 72 K’s.

He has been aided by the monstrous ballpark and would certainly get rocked in the Bronx. The 33-year-old hasn’t pitched in the American League since 2003. Even worse, he has never held an ERA this low in his entire career. How can we trust this man to keep up the pace moving from the NL West to the dreaded and dangerous AL East?

Exactly.

2. Brett Myers, Houston Astros

Excuse me while I go vomit.

And that’s just the mere thought of Myers coming to the Bronx; imagine if he were actually here!

Houston is looking to enjoy a fire sale, but nobody is biting on its atrocious and overpaid starting pitchers. The Astros crown jewel is Hunter Pence, who would have to be in any deal if I’m a general manager bringing in Myers.

Myers is simply pathetic. Despite having experience pitching in pressure situations, he has been a major disappointment for the Astros. He will never live up to those expectations he built in Philadelphia.

The soon-to-be 33-year-old is currently in his 10th major league season and has only held an ERA below 4.00 three times.

Unfortunately, one of those years is not this year. He was hoping to enjoy back-to-back sub-4.00 ERA seasons, but it wasn’t in the cards.

Even then, isn’t it a bit embarrassing we’re talking about sub-4.00 ERA seasons being good?

How could you ever want a starting pitcher with that type of history? 

1. Wandy Rodriguez, Houston Astros

Finally, the one man who is even worse than Brett Myers—Wandy Rodriguez.

Wandy Rod has waved his magic spell over Houston because it is convinced he is a quality starter.

This 32-year-old definition of mediocrity and disappointment will never be a solid starter in this league. More importantly, he will be exponentially worse in the Bronx.

The Astros are rumored to be dropping their asking price for their "ace" since nobody even nibbled, let alone bit, when they wanted an Ubaldo Jimenez-type haul for his services.

Wandy Rod is a perennial loser with a 68-71 career record, 4.12 career ERA and 1.35 career WHIP.

Houston is still living in the past when Wandy Rod put up a fluke season with a 3.02 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. He has since been closer to a 4.00 ERA and would cause headaches for Bombers fans as they watch the ball get rocked around the park.

More importantly, the Yankees would have to pay him nearly $40 million over the next three seasons if they acquired him. Who was the genius that signed him to that monstrosity?   

For the love of New York, Mr. Cashman, STAY AWAY.