FanNation

Sitting in third place in the AL East with a 50-45 record, the New York Yankees have been far from spectacular this season. With a struggling offensive and plagued by injuries, the Yankees are looking up at both the Red Sox and the Rays, wondering what they can do to climb back into the race.

With Matsui possibly done for the year, and Damon still a week away from returning, the Bombers are in need of another bat, and the July 31st trade deadline is quickly approaching. The addition of a slugger like Bay or Holliday is very attractive...and very unlikely, seeing as both the Pirates and Rockies would be looking for a package deal of young prospects. We know how reluctant Cashman has been in dealing his youngsters, so we can scratch those two names off the list.

Free-agent-to-be Mark Teixiera is also an unlikely candidate, as the Braves have been very indecisive as to whether or not he is available. One week he's got his bags packed for Boston, the next week he's still Atlanta's starting first basemen. The Yankees' 1B situation is already a platoon of players, including Giambi, Betemit, and even Posada, so another would be a bit overkill. Next please.

Barry Bonds. Ha. The idea is laughable. With all the distraction that A-Rod is generating with the New York press, the addition of Bonds would certainly indicate the end of rational thinking in the Big Apple. No way, no how.

From what I've read, it seems like the Yanks are interested in Richie Sexson, who was released from the Mariners during an abysmal slump. Not only do they not need another first basemen, the Yankees can not (statistically) afford to add another roster player who can't hit the broad side of a barn. But knowing the Yankees, they will probably make this deal, if they haven't signed the paperwork already.

I've also heard rumors of free agent P Freddy Garcia, reliever Brian Fuentes, and Pirates close Demaso Marte. Garcia's a risk, seeing as he is just returning from injury in 2007. Fuentes is a possibility, however I feel he is a tad overrated in the Rockies bullpen. Marte is the likely choice, since the Yankees have been absolutely infatuated with the guy since losing him in a trade for Enrique Wilson. If you ask me, the FO should stop drooling over this guy and trade for him already.

It's difficult to even get an inkling as to what the Yankees management is thinking in terms of player trades. It seems as though "anything is possible" in the realm of New York. While that's fine and dandy, I'm still finding myself constantly checking SI.com to see if the Yanks have made any moves. So far, no dice. But that doesn't me I won't check another 25 times today!

Until next time...