5 Players New York Yankees Should Target Before 2015 MLB Trade Deadline

5 Players New York Yankees Should Target Before 2015 MLB Trade Deadline

By Bryan Zarpentine

July 5, 2015

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5 Players New York Yankees Should Target Before 2015 MLB Trade Deadline

Brian Cashman New York Yankees — With less than a month until the MLB trade deadline, the New York Yankees lead the AL East by the slimmest of margins. As good as the Yankees have been to this point in the season, they may need some outside help if they're going to hang onto the division and reach the postseason. Here are five players the Yankees should be targeting in potential trades leading up to the trade deadline.

With less than a month until the MLB trade deadline, the New York Yankees lead the AL East by the slimmest of margins. As good as the Yankees have been to this point in the season, they may need some outside help if they're going to hang onto the division and reach the postseason. Here are five players the Yankees should be targeting in potential trades leading up to the trade deadline.

5. Tyler Clippard

Oakland Athletics

5. Tyler Clippard

Oakland Athletics — Bringing Clippard back to the Bronx would provide a huge boost to the Yankee bullpen. Oakland will probably end up being sellers, so trading for Clippard is certainly possible. Even if Andrew Miller returns from injury after the all-star break, New York could still use some bullpen help to offset a struggling rotation, and trading for Clippard would give the Yankees one of the top bullpens in baseball.

Bringing Clippard back to the Bronx would provide a huge boost to the Yankee bullpen. Oakland will probably end up being sellers, so trading for Clippard is certainly possible. Even if Andrew Miller returns from injury after the all-star break, New York could still use some bullpen help to offset a struggling rotation, and trading for Clippard would give the Yankees one of the top bullpens in baseball.

4. Will Venable

Will Venable

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4. Will Venable

Will Venable — There are no rumors linking Venable to the Yankees, but acquiring an extra outfielder wouldn't be a bad move considering the current injuries and injury history of Carlos Beltran and Jacoby Ellsbury. Venable has quietly had a strong season in San Diego, he'll be a strong defensive outfielder, and he'll bring versatility to the outfield, making him an under-the-radar acquisition that could make an impact for the Yankees.

There are no rumors linking Venable to the Yankees, but acquiring an extra outfielder wouldn't be a bad move considering the current injuries and injury history of Carlos Beltran and Jacoby Ellsbury. Venable has quietly had a strong season in San Diego, he'll be a strong defensive outfielder, and he'll bring versatility to the outfield, making him an under-the-radar acquisition that could make an impact for the Yankees.

3 Jeff Samardzija

Jeff Samardzija

3. Jeff Samardzija

Jeff Samardzija — Samardzija is struggling this year compared to past seasons, but he'll definitely be an upgrade to a rotation that's been fairly mediocre this season. Trading for Samardzija would be an ideal way for the Yankees to give their rotation a shot of life without having to overspend for a starter at the deadline, and in that sense, there's a real chance he ends up being traded to the Yankees.

Samardzija is struggling this year compared to past seasons, but he'll definitely be an upgrade to a rotation that's been fairly mediocre this season. Trading for Samardzija would be an ideal way for the Yankees to give their rotation a shot of life without having to overspend for a starter at the deadline, and in that sense, there's a real chance he ends up being traded to the Yankees.

2. Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels

2. Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels — Years ago, trading for Hamels would have been an obvious move for the Yankees, but not so much anymore. But it may be worth it for the team to explore bringing Hamels and his long-term contract to the Bronx. Hamels is still a front-line starting pitcher who knows how to lead a team into the postseason, and with CC Sabathia being a shadow of his former self, Hamels may be exactly what the Yankees need.

Years ago, trading for Hamels would have been an obvious move for the Yankees, but not so much anymore. But it may be worth it for the team to explore bringing Hamels and his long-term contract to the Bronx. Hamels is still a front-line starting pitcher who knows how to lead a team into the postseason, and with CC Sabathia being a shadow of his former self, Hamels may be exactly what the Yankees need.

1. Scott Kazmir

Scott Kazmir Athletics

1. Scott Kazmir

Scott Kazmir Athletics — Kazmir is arguably the best starting pitcher that may be traded before the deadline, and obviously the Yankees should be setting their sights on the best pitcher they can get. There's no bona fide ace on New York's pitching staff, a problem that Kazmir would immediately solve. The price to get him may be high, but Kazmir would make the Yankees obvious favorites to win the division and help them build a comfortable lead in the AL East.

Kazmir is arguably the best starting pitcher that may be traded before the deadline, and obviously the Yankees should be setting their sights on the best pitcher they can get. There's no bona fide ace on New York's pitching staff, a problem that Kazmir would immediately solve. The price to get him may be high, but Kazmir would make the Yankees obvious favorites to win the division and help them build a comfortable lead in the AL East.

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