NY Yankees Trade Speculation: 5 Players That Could Put Yanks over the Top

Brian Cashman has done the right thing—the only thing he could do as the GM of the New York Yankees.

He has defended his players, even when they don't deserve it.

A GM has no choice—to trash one of your own is to remove any remaining value they may have to someone else and destroy any possibility of moving them in the offseason.

It also really pisses off players when team management comes out and says, "You know, I agree with everyone else—Player X (who will remain anonymous but who happens to have a haircut more befitting a 14-year-old-boy-band-member than a major league pitcher) SUCKS!"

Nobody in their right mind would sabotage their own team by doing that.

However, even the most ardent defender would have to admit that the Yankees could use some reinforcements.

With Rich Harden no longer eligible to be traded until late September, the starting pitching that is available simply is not worth exploring, whether it be due to their contracts, performance or a combination of both.

So we turn our attention to bolstering the Yankees bench and picking up a second lefty specialist, giving Joe Girardi more options as the Yankees head into the stretch run.

After the jump, five players that could provide that extra "oomph" the Yankees need...and potentially give the Yanks a glimpse into the future.

Vladimir Guerrero, DH

Vladimir Guerrero isn't one of the elite players in the league anymore, but this sure-fire Hall of Famer can still hit a little bit.

Dreadful against left-handed pitching this season—his .214 average against southpaws is over 100 points lower than his career .322 average—Guerrero can still cause damage against righties, hitting .316 along with nine of his 10 HR and the bulk of his RBI.

Guerrero could provide an impact bat off the bench, and given the chance, Yankee hitting coach Kevin Long could work his magic, increasing Vlad's production against lefties.

Of course, the Baltimore Orioles need to put him on waivers first.

Mike Gonzalez, RP

I'm tired of talking about how the Yankees should try and acquire Mike Gonzalez from the Baltimore Orioles.

The 33-year-old has been more effective against left-handed batters than Boone Logan, holding them to a .212 BA, .256 OBP and .585 OPS.

Gonzalez has been hot for the better part of a month, having not allowed a run since July 18 against the Red Sox.

Jason Kubel, LF/RF

With the Minnesota Twins coming to grips with having to move Joe Mauer to a position other than catcher, Jason Kubel has become expendable and been placed on waivers by the Minnesota Twins.

Kubel would be an upgrade over Nick Swisher against right-handed pitchers.

Acquiring Kubel could also be a "test run" to see if he could flourish in pinstripes, as the free-agent-to-be is sure to get a look from the Yankees in the offseason as they debate whether picking up the $10.25 million option on Swisher is worthwhile.

As unpopular as it may be, Kubel could be the better investment going forward. If he can succeed in the Bronx during a pennant race, any fears about his being able to "handle" New York would be allayed.

Jim Thome, DH

Jim Thome—the newest member of baseball's 600 home run club and potentially a future Hall of Fame player—like his teammate Jason Kubel, has been placed on waivers by the Minnesota Twins.

His days as a fielder long behind him, Thome's sole purpose is to hit the ball.

While his numbers this season are down from his career averages, the slugger is still a solid hitter against left-handed pitchers and could displace Eric Chavez from his current role as DH against lefties.

Whether or not Thome will make it to the Yankees is another story. There is mutual interest in a reunion in Cleveland and Ozzie Guillen is chirping that he would like to see Thome return to Chicago—both teams having higher waiver priority than the Yanks.

Tom Gorzelanny, SP/RP

At one point a top prospect with the Pittsburgh Pirates, one that projected to be part of a one-two punch in their starting rotation along with Zach Duke, Tom Gorzelanny has bounced around the National League and performed in a number of roles throughout his career.

Currently he finds himself pitching out of the Washington Nationals bullpen.

In 2011, he has been most effective against left-handed batters, holding them to a .178 BA, .228 OBP and .557 OPS.

Boone Logan, the Yankees' current lefty specialist, is holding left-handed batters to a .244 BA, .310 OBP and .746 OPS.

Not horrible by any means, but not as good as Gorzelanny has been in 2011.

Closing Thoughts

Rich Harden really would have been an excellent addition for the Yankees—even at the cost of a Brandon Laird, which is what I suspect Oakland may have asked for in return. It's unfortunate that he is ineligible to be traded again until mid-to-late September.

While it would be nice to see the Yankees add another piece or two before the rosters expand on September 1, the reinforcements very well could arrive in the way of the aforementioned Laird, Jesus Montero, Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances and Adam Warren.

Regardless of how they shore up the roster, fans can rest assured that Brian Cashman will do what needs to be done—whatever that may be—leading into the last month of the season.