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

1. Trevor Bauer

Bauer is another pitcher who has been strongly linked with the Yankees in recent years. His outspoken nature might make him a questionable fit for a franchise that is very concerned with public relations, but his talent could easily tempt Cashman to overlook those concerns.

The 29-year-old right-hander signed a one-year deal with the Reds in the offseason that was intended to pay him $17.5 million. He’s made it clear that he plans to repeat that strategy when he hits free agency. That makes him a guy Cincinnati should move if they fall out of postseason contention.

On the flip side, it also makes him a player that the Yankees won’t overpay to acquire. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t hold significant potential value to Boone’s team in 2020. He’s just the sort of guy who can take the ball in Game 2 of a playoff series and bury an opponent. The Yankees could easily decide that Bauer is the right player to push them over the top in their quest to win a 28th World Series title.

Bauer probably isn’t a long-term answer for the Yankees’ starting rotation issues, but he could give the group a much-needed immediate jolt of energy and performance. Cashman will absolutely keep tabs on his status ahead of this year’s Trade Deadline.