Yankees Trade Rumors: Cliff Lee, John Danks could be trade targets
By Josh Hill
The New York Yankees are finally having the bounce back season they needed and that naturally will make the Bombers a big player as the trade deadline nears.
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New York isn’t guaranteed to make any trades but they’re going to be buyers at the deadline and not sellers if they’re even active at all.
CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman noted that Lee has been a guy that the Yankees have been after for years and now could be the time they try and go out and get his bad contract no one else will want.
"The contract is heavily backloaded, so he ain’t cheap. But with only a couple years left, he may be worth the risk as a rare true No. 1 pitcher — provided he’s healthy. The Yankees have coveted him for years."
Heyman also points out that Chicago White Sox starter John Danks could be a trade target as well given how nicely hes bounced back from surgery and how desperate the White Sox are for young talent to groom.
"Chicago is looking for younger players as it continues its logical rebuilding path. He should be movable because he’s pitching well enough in the second year after Tommy John surgery. The Yanks would work for Danks."
It’s not certain that New York would pul the trigger on either of these trades but there’s a good chance that at least one or both could be explored. They make sense for the Yankees as they’re looking to get as close to the World Series as they can in Derek Jeter’s final season and wouldn’t mind pieces that make them better overall.