The New York Yankees are sitting atop the AL East with a 48-40 mark. The starting rotation has overcome injuries, and Mark Teixeira, Brett Gardner and Alex Rodriguez have carried the team on their back offensively. Despite the 3.5-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays, the Bronx Bombers should approach the Cincinnati Reds about free agent-to-be Johnny Cueto.

They have the prospects to get a deal done, with Double-A catcher Gary Sanchez coming off an appearance in the MLB Futures Game at Great American Ball Park. Sanchez was one of two Yankee prospects to compete in the contest, and the Dominican Republic native went 1-for-2 with a double in the exhibition. With Brian McCann entrenched behind the plate, the Yankees could trade Sanchez to Cincinnati for Cueto, who would instantly take over as the ace on the Yankees’ rotation.

Sanchez is hitting .258 with 12 home runs and 36 RBIs in Double-A, and the Yanks should trade him while he has value. Just imagine a rotation of Cueto, Masahiro Tanaka, Michael Pineda, CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova. Nathan Eovaldi becomes the odd man out despite a 9-2 record, but the flamethrower is a beneficiary of great run support. It also allows the Yankees to keep an insurance policy in the pen should a change need to be made.

All of the starters have seen time on the DL in recent years, so this seems like the most sense given Cincy’s price tag on Cueto. With the injury to Devin Mesoraco earlier this season, the Reds could give Sanchez a chance to become an everyday catcher and move Brayan Pena to a backup role. Pena is hitting .283, but has no power and is somewhat of a liability defensively.

If Cincy wants more than just Sanchez, the Yankees could include Adam Warren, who would essentially take Cueto’s spot in the Reds’ rotation.

Kelvin Queliz is a New York Yankees writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @iamkelvinq, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on LinkedIn and Google.