5 Biggest New York Yankees Rumors Two Weeks Before 2015 MLB Trade Deadline

5 Biggest New York Yankees Rumors Two Weeks Before 2015 MLB Trade Deadline

By Bryan Zarpentine

July 18, 2015

5 Biggest New York Yankees Rumors Two Weeks Before 2015 MLB Trade Deadline

Brian Cashman — With two weeks left until the MLB trade deadline, everyone is expecting the New York Yankees to be among the buyers in an effort to improve the team for a potential postseason run. The Yankees are in good shape to win the AL East due to the strength of their offense, but if they're going to be a team to be reckoned with in the playoffs, they may need to add help. Here are five Yankees rumors with the trade deadline fast approaching.

With two weeks left until the MLB trade deadline, everyone is expecting the New York Yankees to be among the buyers in an effort to improve the team for a potential postseason run. The Yankees are in good shape to win the AL East due to the strength of their offense, but if they're going to be a team to be reckoned with in the playoffs, they may need to add help. Here are five Yankees rumors with the trade deadline fast approaching.

5. Money Over Prospects

Yankees

5. Money Over Prospects

Yankees — In true Yankee fashion, if New York improves its roster before the trade deadline, it will do so by opening up the checkbook. Rumors indicate the Yankees are far more interested in taking on the salary and unwanted contracts of players that can help them than they are trading away prospects for a rental player. This policy is the basis for many of the rumors surrounding the Yankees heading into the deadline.

In true Yankee fashion, if New York improves its roster before the trade deadline, it will do so by opening up the checkbook. Rumors indicate the Yankees are far more interested in taking on the salary and unwanted contracts of players that can help them than they are trading away prospects for a rental player. This policy is the basis for many of the rumors surrounding the Yankees heading into the deadline.

4. Luis Severino Among the Untouchables

New York Yankees Luis Severino

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4. Luis Severino Among the Untouchables

New York Yankees Luis Severino — Severino, the Yankees' top prospect, is one of a handful of minor leaguers who have been deemed more or less untouchable at the trade deadline. Also on that list is outfielder Aaron Judge and the recently promoted Rob Refsnyder. This is a different attitude towards prospects than what the Yankees have held in the past, and it may limit what they're able to pull off at the trade deadline.

Severino, the Yankees' top prospect, is one of a handful of minor leaguers who have been deemed more or less untouchable at the trade deadline. Also on that list is outfielder Aaron Judge and the recently promoted Rob Refsnyder. This is a different attitude towards prospects than what the Yankees have held in the past, and it may limit what they're able to pull off at the trade deadline.

3. Ben Zobrist A Likely Target

Yankees Need To Acquire Zobrist Now

3. Ben Zobrist A Likely Target

Yankees Need To Acquire Zobrist Now — The Yankees appear to be one of the teams with an interest in acquiring Zobrist, in the event Oakland decides to trade him. If Refsnyder struggles between now and the trade deadline, it may increase the urgency the Yankees have to trade for Zobrist. However, even if Refsnyder can hold down the second base job, Zobrist would still be an upgrade on the bench over Stephen Drew and Brendan Ryan, while protecting against injury.

The Yankees appear to be one of the teams with an interest in acquiring Zobrist, in the event Oakland decides to trade him. If Refsnyder struggles between now and the trade deadline, it may increase the urgency the Yankees have to trade for Zobrist. However, even if Refsnyder can hold down the second base job, Zobrist would still be an upgrade on the bench over Stephen Drew and Brendan Ryan, while protecting against injury.

2. Johnny Cueto Is Unlikely

Johnny Cueto

2. Johnny Cueto Is Unlikely

Johnny Cueto — On paper, Cueto seems like an obvious target for the Yankees, but rumors indicate that he is unlikely to end up in New York. The Yankees don't appear interested in merely renting Cueto or giving up a top-flight prospect to acquire him. Of course, a frontline starter like Cueto is exactly what the Yankees need to ensure they win the AL East, while also giving them the ace they'll need in the postseason.

On paper, Cueto seems like an obvious target for the Yankees, but rumors indicate that he is unlikely to end up in New York. The Yankees don't appear interested in merely renting Cueto or giving up a top-flight prospect to acquire him. Of course, a frontline starter like Cueto is exactly what the Yankees need to ensure they win the AL East, while also giving them the ace they'll need in the postseason.

1. Rotation Help on the Way

New York Yankees Rumors: Trading For Jeff Samardzija Would Improve Rotation Immensely

1. Rotation Help on the Way

New York Yankees Rumors: Trading For Jeff Samardzija Would Improve Rotation Immensely — Even if it's not Cueto, if the Yankees do anything at the deadline it'll likely involve adding a starting pitcher to a rotation that could use a boost. New York would gladly take on the contract of Cole Hamels, but they may not want to give up the prospects the Phillies want back. This leaves a pitcher like Jeff Samardzija a more likely target, even if he's not exactly the bona fide ace the Yankees will need in September and October.

Even if it's not Cueto, if the Yankees do anything at the deadline it'll likely involve adding a starting pitcher to a rotation that could use a boost. New York would gladly take on the contract of Cole Hamels, but they may not want to give up the prospects the Phillies want back. This leaves a pitcher like Jeff Samardzija a more likely target, even if he's not exactly the bona fide ace the Yankees will need in September and October.

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