MLB Rumors: 10 Ways the Yankees Can Still Upgrade Their Rotation

As the 2012 season approaches, the New York Yankees are sending out a pretty familiar team. Familiar because of it's striking resemblance to the team of 2011, minus a few replaceable pieces.

There isn't much more that can be done at this point as the Boston Red Sox have possibly locked-up the last viable candidate to upgrade New York's rotation.

Here are some things the Yankees can still do to help their starting five this season and beyond.

Roy Oswalt

Now that Roy Oswalt has lowered his demands for a contract, the Yankees could be listening. Oswalt had demanded multiple years, something that looks ridiculous with his back issues.

Still, if Oswalt is healthy, he could be a rotation-changer for New York and give them the shot in the arm they need.

Keyword: If.

Matt Cain

The San Francisco Giants have quite the dilemma and the type of problem the Yankees wish they had.

They have arguably the best 1-2 punch in the MLB with Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum. Both could be the ace of any staff in baseball and both are looking for contract extensions.

Word is Lincecum and the Giants were talking an extension, but the two sides can't seem to come to terms. San Fran might be as many as four years short of the possible eight-year deal Lincecum desires.

All the while, Cain is 162 games away from being a free agent and with what Lincecum will command, the Giants might not have the money to accommodate him.

The Yankees, on the other hand, would be more than happy to oblige.

Cole Hamles

With Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee commanding $20 million apiece in the Philadelphia Phillies starting rotation, free-agent-to-be Cole Hamels won't be a high priority for the Phillies to pay after 2012.

At 28, Hamels has posted an ERA of 3.06 and 2.79 the past two seasons. If he can do it again, Hamels will be salivated over by teams in need of starting pitching.

Rumors have come and gone about Hamels being dealt, but the Yankees do have the young prospects to pull off such a deal if Philly decided to make it.

It's doubtful the Phillies would shorten their rotation during the season like that, so expect to wait another 162 before the Bombers have their chance.

Joba Chamberlain

I know, I know. This is so tired, but there is a chance Joba Chamberlain could find his way into the starting rotation during the 2012 season.

Chamberlain is coming off of Tommy John surgery, so he won't be ready to start the season on time. In his favor, the Yankees have many question marks in their starting five and if he comes back at the right time, he could find a spot in a struggling rotation.

We've seen him pitch with an incredible dominance in the past, but much like his health coming off surgery, there's no certainty he will ever be the same again.

Joba could be a Yankee wild card for 2012.

A.J. Burnett

Like Chamberlain, A.J. Burnett could be a solution in-house for the Yanks to consider. Obviously they've considered him; they signed him for crying out loud.

But maybe Burnett can actually show up a few more times next season and lower his ERA a run. That's it, a single run. If he does that, he could easily add five more wins to his 2011 total.

That's 16 wins.

Something that seems so simple could be a huge improvement for the Bombers pitching staff. As badly as he pitched in 2011, Burnett still won 11 games. He certainly couldn't pitch any worse this year, making it possible he'll win more games.

Phil Hughes

This will be the last Joba comparison I make in this piece, but Phil Hughes has been quite the disappointment in the Bronx.

While Hughes was branded an ace coming out of the Yanks' farm system, injuries and inconsistency have quickly dashed such hopes for him.

New York is hoping for the same Hughes who had a strong first half in 2010, without the subsequent downfall that occurred after the All-Star break. He won 18 games that season and could've easily won 20 had he stayed on track.

Hughes could be a diamond in the rough for the Yankees. We'll have to see if shedding some extra weight will shed all the problems he's had the past two years.

Hector Noesi

Hector Noesi was once considered one of the best young pitching prospects the Yankees had in their farm system. With the hype of Dellin Betances and Manny Banuelos, he's been lost in the fray.

Noesi should have a shot to make the rotation in spring training, but doesn't have much of a track record starting games. He spent most of 2011 as a long man for New York.

In what might have been his best moment of 2011, Noesi went six innings in a relief appearances against the Red Sox in June, tossing six innings while allowing two runs on three hits.

There is upside considering he's only 24 and, after what Ivan Nova accomplished last season, don't be surprised if the Yanks take a chance on Noesi if he proves a better option than the rest.

Dellin Betances

With a short-term, September call-up in 2011, Dellin Betances got his feet wet at the major league level. It left it apparent that there is talent there, but still room for improvement.

Betances will most likely start the season in the minors as making the rotation in spring training is doubtful and he certainly won't go to the bullpen.

He has as good a chance as any to get a start this season with the lack of depth in the Yanks' rotation. Injuries and ineffectiveness could open up another option in Betances.

Adam Warren

Although he isn't well-known, Adam Warren is one of the more MLB-ready options the Yankees have in their minor league system.

In Triple-A last season, Warren went 6-8 with a 3.60 ERA in 27 starts. He's risen from Single- to Triple-A in three seasons.

Having more experience in Triple-A than Betances or Manny Banuelos, he could get the call before either of New York's top prospects.

David Phelps

Like Warren, David Phelps is also one of the more experienced starters in Triple-A for the Yankees.

In 2011, Phelps went 6-6 with a 3.19 ERA in 18 starts.

Phelps impressed in 2010, going 10-2 with a 2.50 ERA between Double- and Triple-A.

Be Patient!

Be patient!

That's the best advice I can give to fans out there who have Yankee inaction-derangement syndrome from the past two seasons of the Yanks standing pat.

A deal could come along in June or July that never existed in the current realm of MLB trade rumors. The Yankees have the pieces, and the desire, to make something big happen through a trade.

Now all that's left is the opportunity to make such a deal and that will take time. 

But one thing's for certain: Brian Cashman will keep his ear to the ground in the meantime, so rest easy.