BYB YANKEE TRADE RUMORS: PART 2

It's that time of year again. The trade deadline. The Yankees are looking to gain an extra piece or two that can push them over the top. You can read part one titled BYB YANKEE TRADE RUMORS: PART 1 here.

Here's some intriguing players that the Yanks could acquire:
Randy Choate: Choate is by far the best LOOGY (lefty one out guy) in the game. This season for the Florida Marlins he has appeared in 47 games and has a 1.31 ERA, while allowing just 10 hits in 20.2 innings pitched. But, since he's a LOOGY, it's all about how he does against left handed batters. Against lefties, Choate has held them to a .121 batting average in 58 at bats. He's also struck out 23 of the 58 lefties he has faced. Not to mention, this season Choate has inherited 41 base runners this season, and he's only allowed just four to score. That's under 10% which is fantastic. But, there is one catch with Choate. He signed a cheap two-year, $2.5M deal before this season with the Marlins, so the frugal fish won't be looking to unload him just yet although they're clearly out of the race. You can read that story HERE.

John Grabow: Although the lefty Grabow hasn't had a great season overall, (5.19 ERA in 44 games) he's been pretty solid against left handed batters. This season against lefties he has held them to a .238 average, and has allowed just one homer to a lefty. Compare that to a .297 average and six homers allowed to righties. With that in mind, you know he can be valuable as a lefty specialist for the Yankees if used correctly. Remember, I wrote a piece that included him earlier. You can read that HERE.Ricky Nolasco: This season Nolasco has pitched pretty well for the Florida Marlins. He has a 7-7 record with a 4.04 ERA. But he's struck out just 106 in 140.1 innings and has allowed 152 hits in those 140.1 innings of work. The Yankees have been linked to Nolasco of late, but according to a report which you can read HERE, the Marlins aren't looking to move Nolasco just yet. The Marlins did sign Nolasco to a three-year contract extension following the 2010 season. You can read that HERE.

Personally, I think that the Yankees just need a good number two starter, and another lefty reliever. But Nolasco, or anyone else that could be available, may not be the answer as the number two starter. And honestly, I think guys like A.J. Burnett, Phil Hughes, Bartolo Colon, or Freddy Garcia can step up and be a number two starter going forward. As for lefty relievers, the Yankees have J.C Romero stashed in AAA Scranton/Wilkes Barre. In AAA, Romero has a 1.17 ERA in six games. He has also allowed opposing lefty batters to hit just .083 against him.

Stay tuned for more Yankee Trade Rumors here at Bleeding Yankee Blue.



--Jesse Schindler, BYB Staff Writer




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