Here are the best bets for the Yankees at this year’s trade deadline

The trade deadline is approaching fast and the Yankees are in a heated division race. Here are New York’s top five trade targets to push them over the top.

It’s no secret that Brian Cashman wants to make a move ahead of the trade deadline. The Yankees are battling the Red Sox tooth and nail for the AL East crown. That means Cashman will be under intense pressure to make a move this month.

The natural question is who the Yankees are really chasing. This isn’t a team with a ton of needs. In particular, the batting order is pretty stacked. Cashman could look to make an upgrade to the team’s first base options, but there’s been little chatter about that. Instead, almost every report linking the Yankees with a big move is all about improving the starting rotation.

As such, the list of the club’s top five targets is going to be heavy on starting pitchers. We start with a left who has really picked up his performance lately.

5. Danny Duffy

Duffy’s ERA of 5.19 this season isn’t going to impress anyone. However, when you look at the way the Royals starter has thrown the ball lately you have to sit up and take notice. He might be a relatively low-cost acquisition for Cashman that presents serious upside.

After a nightmare start to the season, he’s been excellent over his last seven starts. His 2.68 ERA in those 43 2/3 innings pitched proves he can certainly boost the Yankees rotation. He’s still struggling a bit with walking batters, but his numbers could escalate any further if he can get that under control.

The Royals might be motivated to move Duffy since he’s in the second season of a five-year, $65 million contract he signed with the team. Cashman could absorb that salary with relatively little concern. The willingness to take on his money, with a mid-tier prospect as a sweetener could be enough to get the Yankees a starter who can stay in their rotation for several years to come.