MLB Trade Rumors: 5 Pitchers the New York Yankees Should Target

Given the current shape of the New York Yankees' starting rotation, GM Brian Cashman will likely be looking to make a move before the July 31st trade deadline.

The Bombers could see Andy Pettitte in the rotation by May 10th, but that still doesn't fill the rotation slots for struggling hurlers Phil Hughes and Freddy Garcia.

And on top of it all, Michael Pineda's season-ending injury makes acquiring a starter by the deadline all the more necessary.

So who might Cashman pull the trigger on?

Let's take a look. 

Matt Garza

The word "trade" and Matt Garza have been linked for some time now, even though Chicago Cubs GM Jed Hoyer has recently discussed signing the righty to an extension.

While the idea of an extension is being thrown around, but nothing is concrete.

One has to think that if the Cubs really wanted to lock Garza down in Chicago, they would have done so already.

As far as fitting into the Yankees' rotation, Garza already has experience pitching in the AL East for the Rays, where he went 34-31 with a 3.85 ERA.

So far this season, Garza has pitched extremely well for the Cubs, sporting a 2-1 record and a low 2.67 ERA and even lower 0.89 WHIP.

He's striking out more than one hitter an inning and looks to have great command on the mound this season, something New York is seeking.

Andrew Marchand of ESPN threw around the idea of Garza in pinstripes last season, and given the problems in the Yanks' rotation in 2012, I'm sure they wouldn't mind pondering it again if he doesn't sign an extension in Chicago. 

Cole Hamels

Philadelphia Phillies hurler Cole Hamels is in for a big pay day sooner or later.

I grew up watching Hamels pitch for the Lakewood BlueClaws, and let me tell you something: the dude can flat-out pitch. 

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports recently tweeted that the Phillies haven't restarted contract talks with the southpaw, leaving the door open for a trade come mid-summer.

Hamels has the big city, postseason pitching experience the Yankees could use and the resume to support it. He's 77-55 lifetime, with a career 3.38 ERA and 1.14 WHIP.

The idea of the Phillies breaking up a rotation that includes Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee sounds deranged, but if Philadelphia continues to struggle offensively (and yes, I know that Howard and Utley are currently out of the lineup) Hamels could move.

If Hamels doesn't move at the trade deadline, the Yankees will undoubtedly look into him during the offseason during free agency.

ESPN's Buster Olney is reporting that Matt Cain's five-year, $112.5 million deal has laid the groundwork for Hamels, who will likely require a six-year deal.

Either way, the idea of the 28-year-old pitching in the Bronx has to excite both Brian Cashman and Yankee fans.

Jake Peavy

Once a dominant starter in the MLB, Jake Peavy is looking like his old self during the first month of the 2012 season.

He's 3-1 with a minuscule 1.67 ERA and 0.69 WHIP, highlighted by a complete game shutout of the Oakland Athletics on April 23.

MLB Trade Rumors' Mike Axisa writes that Peavy is a trade candidate this season, especially given his strong start and $22 million option for 2013.

Axisa also writes, "If Peavy continues to pitch well into June and July, Williams could decide to cash him in as a trade chip rather than risk another injury or the possibility of him leaving as a free agent after the season."

He boasts a career record of 112-82, an ERA of 3.43 and a 2007 NL Cy Young award.

My B/R colleague Bill Ford examines whether a Yankees and Peavy trade makes sense in his piece, ultimately believing it's not out of the question for Cashman to take a shot at the injury-prone pitcher.

At just 30, Peavy still has plenty of gas left in the tank. In Peavy, the Yankees would receive a hard-nosed competitor who doesn't shy away from the competition. 

It's a big if, but if Peavy can remain healthy, he could be a solid middle to top of the rotation starter for New York. 

Wandy Rodriguez

Seven-year veteran Wandy Rodriguez is blazing so far in 2012.

Though his 2-2 record doesn't appear so, he's boasting a 1.72 ERA and hasn't surrendered more than three runs in an outing this season.

April 22 saw him throw seven innings of shutout baseball against the MLB's most surging hitter Matt Kemp and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Rodriguez has been known to draw numerous suitors over the past few seasons, but Astros GM Jeff Luhnow never pulled the trigger.

With Rodriguez now pitching at an extremely high level, Luhnow appears to have been wise in waiting to deal the lefty, as Houston can now claim more for their investment.

As ESPN's Jim Bowden writes (Insider access required), "Don’t be surprised to soon see Yankees scouts watching every one of Rodriguez’s starts. He has been the Astros’ best starter so far and should fetch a good price come July." 

Clubs are turned off by the $10 million he's owed this season and the $13 million for next season—as reported by Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports—but if there's anyone willing to pay a player, it's the Yankees.

Erik Bedard

Erik Bedard's name has been mentioned in multiple trade rumors, one of them being the New York Yankees.

As MLB Trade Rumors' Dan Mennella writes,

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"If he can continue to take the hill every fifth day over the next month, Bucs GM Neal Huntington would be wise to start phoning starting-needy contenders, especially considering that Bedard's modest $4.5MM salary shouldn't be a deterrent for most suitors. The Yankees, for one, might fit that bill, depending upon how they handle their beleaguered rotation in the coming weeks."

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Like Garza, Bedard has experience pitching in the AL East, as he was a member of the Baltimore Orioles' staff from 2002-2007. In '07, he went 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA and a career-high 221 strikeouts for the O's.

He's battled some injury problems during the past few seasons, but still sports a respectable career 57-54 record and 3.66 ERA.

This season, he's just 1-4, but hasn't received the run support to earn the W, as evident by his 2.48 ERA and the fact that he hasn't surrendered more than two earned runs in a start.

Last season, the acquisition of Bedard by the Boston Red Sox required just one prospect, making the Yankees an easy candidate to acquire Bedard by the deadline. 

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