Will Yankees and Red Sox Be Competing for the Same Trade Targets?

The New York Yankees are 52-33, the best record in baseball. The Boston Red Sox are 43-43. That's 9.5 back in the AL East and 2.5 back in the wild card.

Despite their divergent places in baseball this year, the Sox and Yanks do have similar needs approaching the trade deadline. Where can the teams upgrade?

Boston needs starting pitching. Clay Buchholz is on the disabled list and isn't expected back until after the All Star Break, according to MLB.com. The Red Sox are 21st in ERA with a 4.22 average and 21st in quality starts.

The Yankees also need starting pitching. They have CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte on the disabled list. They would love some depth. They are 20th in quality starts with 43 and 17th in WHIP.

In addition, both teams could use outfielders. Brett Gardner is on the disabled list and has experienced multiple setbacks. Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford are on the DL for Boston.

There are plenty of players out there who could help the Yanks stay on top and the Red Sox rise up in the standings. Will these rivals fight for the same players?

Read on to find out.

Ryan Dempster

Ryan Dempster is one of the better starting pitchers on the trade market and will be in high demand.

Dempster is in the midst of a 27 inning scoreless streak, according to the Chicago Sun Times. For the year, the right-hander is 4-3 with a 1.99 ERA. He has 70 strikeouts and only 22 walks.

Dempster is a veteran who has been in playoff races before. At 35, he might not cost too much, either.

He's a free agent at the end of the year, and the struggling Cubs might want to get something in return.

Dempster would fit well with either Boston or New York. It just depends which team is willing to make the move.

Wandy Rodriguez

Wandy Rodriguez is a prime candidate to be moved by the Houston Astros.

The left-hander is 7-6, with a 3.38 ERA and 75 strikeouts.

The Orioles are interested in Rodriguez, according to CBS Sports. 

However, their division mates will also be interested in this pitcher. Rodriguez is having a good year, and he is dependable and durable.

Rodriguez is expensive—he will cost $26 million over the next two years (CBS Sports). Both of these teams can afford him.

Because Rodriguez isn't going to cost much more than money, the big market Yankees and Red Sox will end up being the heavy favorites. Look for one of the two teams to get him.

Shin-Soo Choo

The Yankees and Red Sox have both had injury issues in the outfield. Adding Shin-Soo Choo might help that.

Choo is batting .299 with 10 HR and 34 RBI along with nine stolen bases. He's also a very good fielder.

Choo can play multiple positions. For the Yankees, he could be their starting left fielder as Brett Gardner rehabs. That would put Raul Ibanez at designated hitter—where he's better suited.

For the Red Sox, Choo would bring some veteran stability to an outfield decimated by injuries. He's under contract until 2014, so he could be a long-term option.

Choo is a solid, if unspectacular, player who would provide much needed stability to both outfields. 

Juan Pierre

Juan Pierre has plenty of speed. Both the Yankees and Red Sox could use that.

With Brett Gardner out, the Yankees lost most of their speed. Pierre, even at 34 years old, is still very fast.

The Red Sox don't have Carl Crawford or Jacoby Ellsbury, and Pierre's speed will be welcome. Pierre is having a very good year. He's batting .307 with one home run and 18 RBI. He has 20 stolen bases.

The left fielder is only making $800,000, so it shouldn't cost much to acquire him. He would provide an upgrade for both teams.