MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: Yankees

Even with all the IL stints throughout their roster, the New York Yankees appear to be one of the teams to beat this year. Yup, things are going great in the Bronx.

It's hard to imagine the Yankees not being buyers at the trade deadline just about every year, but considering they have World Series aspirations, it's not a matter of if but when they make a trade in the coming weeks to improve this club.

The Yankees have been without Luis Severino just about all season, and the status of his return remains up in the air. So, New York needs to add to their rotation, and while Madison Bumgarner has been mentioned, a different NL West southpaw could be headed to the Bronx.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Yankees have "checked in" on Arizona Diamondbacks starter Robbie Ray, who over his 20 starts owns a 3.81 ERA with 145 strikeouts over 111 innings.

Speaking of starting pitchers, why not look at an arm in your own division?

Marcus Stroman seems like the perfect pitcher to excel in New York. He embraces the bright lights of the city, and he's been really good this year, owning a 3.25 ERA over 19 starts. He does need to be better in Yankee Stadium (6.13 ERA over 10 starts), but he won't be facing that Yankee offense, which should bode well for him.

Speaking of the Blue Jays, why not go after their closer, too?

The Yankees bullpen has been lethal, but the strength of your relief corps is vital in the postseason and it doesn't hurt to make a strength stronger. Blue Jays closer Ken Giles has been dynamite this year, and putting him a less-stressful role should only get more out of him.

It would take a lot in return if the Yankees want a Stroman/Giles pairing from Toronto, but winning a championship makes it all worth it. We'll see what the club ends up doing across the board before July 31.