5 starting pitchers the Yankees should trade for to fix their starting rotation

Aside from ace Gerrit Cole, the Yankees starting rotation has been a disaster this season. Here are five trade targets who can fix that issue.

When the Yankees inked Gerrit Cole in the offseason they expected him to lead one of MLB’s best starting rotations. He’s kept up his end of that bargain in 2020, but the starters behind him in the Bronx have struggled mightily.

James Paxton’s inability to pitch with his trademark velocity has caused him to be hammered in both of his starts. Masahiro Tanaka is still working his way back after being drilled by a Giancarlo Stanton line drive in summer camp. JA Happ could well be finished as a quality starter if his command doesn’t improve both dramatically and quickly.

Only Jordan Montgomery has pitched like a starter capable of helping the Yankees in the postseason. That just isn’t good enough for a team with legitimate World Series aspirations. That’s why Brian Cashman should investigate deals for one of these five starting pitchers before this year’s Trade Deadline of August 31st.

5. Danny Duffy

GM Brian Cashman would love to pull off a deal for another ace in the next few weeks, but the shortened season is going to reduce the number of teams willing to sell off their prized assets. It’s much more likely that the Yankees will complete a trade for a veteran capable of stabilizing the back-end of their rotation.

Duffy fits that description perfectly. He’s not going to anchor the top of a World Series contender’s rotation, but he can give the Yankees real value as an above-average No. 4 or No. 5 starter. The Royals clearly aren’t going to be a postseason factor this season. If the Yankees offer a quality prospect in exchange for Duffy’s services they should jump at the deal.