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5 moves the Yankees should make at the MLB trade deadline

By Josh Criswell

Apr 29, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) looks on in the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Philadelphia Phillies at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) looks on in the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Philadelphia Phillies at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 7, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) pitches during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 7, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) pitches during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Pitching is one of the New York Yankees’ primary concerns at the MLB trade deadline.

Masahiro Tanaka rebounded from a rough start, briefly dropping his earned run average below 2.50. Ever since June 15th, however, he has struggled on the mound. He has given up at least three earned runs in five of his past six appearances. In two of those outings, he gave up five runs or more. Tanaka still has a solid 3.65 ERA, but his injury problems and recent struggles are reason for concern.

CC Sabathia has been the biggest concern of the pitching staff, though. The former Cy Young winner is in danger of posting the worst ERA of his career, and is giving up 10.8 hits and 1.6 home runs per nine innings. Their former ace posting an ERA greater than five for the second consecutive season further illustrates the Yankees’ need to improve its starting pitching.

This is where Johnny Cueto could prove to be of great value.

Cueto has been nothing short of dominant this season. Unfortunately, that performance is going to waste for a Cincinnati Reds team that is all but out of the playoff race.

The right-handed ace has posted a 2.79 ERA and is giving up just 6.5 hits per nine innings, making him the most coveted pitcher available at the trade deadline.

Second base prospect Rob Refsnyder could be intriguing trade bait, as the Reds severely lack organizational depth in the middle infield. 20-year old Jorge Mateo is another highly coveted prospect that would likely be a part of any trade discussions for Cueto, but it is doubtful that the organization would be willing to trade their shortstop of the future for a potential one-year rental.

It would hurt to part ways with these promising young players, but it would also be worth consideration if it was part of a deal that would land the Yankees one of the elite starting pitchers in the MLB. Especially if they can lock up Cueto to a long-term deal.

Next: Acquire Jay Bruce from the Reds

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