MLB Trade Rumors: If No Cliff Lee, Zack Greinke, Matt Garza To New York Yankees?

The New York Yankees are among the favorites to land the 2010 free-agent market's most coveted starting pitcher, left-handed ace Cliff Lee.

But his two most recent teams, the Texas Rangers and Philadelphia Phillies are very much still in the running.

Texas is no surprise, but a recent report suggests that not only are the Phillies a surprise competitor, but they may be the favorite.

That being said, if the Yankees don't get Lee, they'll almost certainly try to acquire another starting pitcher to bolster their current rotation of C.C. Sabathia, Phil Hughes, Andy Pettite (if he re-signs) and A.J. Burnett.

The Tampa Bay Rays' Matt Garza is rumored to be on the market, as is the Royals' Zack Greinke.

Now the question remains: can the Bronx Bombers pull off a deal for either of them?

And if not, what would be their consolation prize if they miss out on Lee?

Zack Greinke: Not Likely

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 11: Zack Greinke #23 of the Kansas City Royals pitches against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on August 11, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

It doesn't look like the Yanks will be able to pull off a Greinke deal, despite their fairly strong arsenal of prospects.

The Royals want help in the middle infield, and that doesn't fit with the Yankees' available prospects.

New York has the advantage of having three legit catching prospects (Jesus Montero, Gary Sanchez and Austin Romine), but one of them, likely combined with infielder Eduardo Nunez and possibly Brett Gardner, reportedly isn't enough.

The Yanks just don't have enough middle-infield talent to offer Kansas City, who is set at the corner-infield positions and pitching (in terms of prospects).

Matt Garza: Possible, But Not Worth It

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 09: Pitcher Matt Garza #22 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws against the Texas Rangers during game 3 of the ALDS at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 9, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Matt Garza is also reportedly available, but I wouldn't bank on him going to the Yankees.

They could hypothetically offer enough to get him, but the Rays would be reluctant to widen the gap between the two teams even further.

Also, Garza is a bit overrated.  He's a good pitcher, but his 3.91 ERA is nowhere near elite.

The Yanks might as well stick with what they have rather than exhausting their farm system.

Mark Buehrle: Again, Not Worth It

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON - SEPTEMBER 05: Mark Buehrle #56 of the Chicago White Sox delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox on September 5, 2010 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The White Sox are reportedly listening to offers for Buehrle.

But I'm not so sure the Yankees should bite.

They might not balk at his $14 million salary as much as other teams, but he's still not worth that type of money.

Maybe he'd be worth the risk if they only had to eat a small portion of the contract, but again, Buehrle isn't exactly of Lee's caliber.  The Yanks would be wise to stick with what they have.

Brandon Webb: Low-Risk, High-Reward

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

TUCSON, AZ - FEBRUARY 27: Brandon Webb of the Arizona Diamondbacks poses for a photo during Spring Training Media Photo Day at Tucson Electric Park on February 27, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Brandon Webb, currently a free agent, is a guy the Yanks should look hard at.

The 2006 Cy Young award winner is one of baseball's best pitchers when healthy, and he reportedly is fully recovered from the injury that limited him to just four innings pitched last year.

At the low price he'd command, Webb is certainly worth the risk for a team with the Yankees' flexible budget.

Worst-case scenario: They eat a few million dollars.  At least it's not the $20 million Lee will get.

Best-case scenario: They get a Cy Young-caliber pitcher for a bargain price.

What's not to like?

Brad Penny: Also Worth the Risk

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 01: Dancer Karina Smirnoff (L) and her fiance, Major League Baseball pitcher Brad Penny, arrive at the third annual Fighters Only World Mixed Martial Arts Awards 2010 at the Palms Casino Resort December 1, 2010 in Las Vegas, Neva

Penny is also one of baseball's better pitchers when healthy (not as good as Webb, though) and is coming off a nine-start season because of injury.

At 32, he won't command big-time money, but if he returns to his to-form, he'd easily be worth the risk.

If They Lose Lee, They Shouldn't Get Desperate

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 08: Brian Cashman, general manager of the New York Yankees watches the team warm up prior to game three, to take place on October 9, of the America League Division Series against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on October 8, 2010

If the Yankees can pull off signing Cliff Lee, it's tough to criticize them, even with the enormous contract he'll command.

But if they can't, the Yankees shouldn't get desperate.

With their current rotation (in conjunction with their incredible lineup), the Yankees are still World Series contenders.  There's no need to gut the farm system for someone like Greinke.

If they can't get Cliff Lee, the Yankees should simply take a shot on a high-upside guy like Webb who will be a huge upgrade if healthy, but if he fails, he won't cost much.

With a team that easily could have won it all last season, the Yankees shouldn't panic.

What do you think?

What should the Yanks do if they can't land Lee?

Voice your opinion in the comments.

Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a Featured Columnist/writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud.