YANKS NEED 1 PITCHER... AND AN INFIELDER APPARENTLY

Source: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images North America

I love when the Yankees are searching for a starting pitcher, have pretty much made it known that they'd like 1 more, and then there are rumors that they are talking about snagging infielders and such. Kind of comes out of nowhere.

Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review says that's happening with a kid named Josh Harrison of the Pirates.  Check this out:

Source: Justin Berl/Getty Images North America

"Several teams have inquired about infielder Josh Harrison, according to industry sources, as Pirates management mulls ways to retool the roster for 2018 and beyond. Harrison has been targeted by the New York Yankees, who also are interested in pitcher Gerrit Cole..."

And then MLB Daily Dish expands a bit...

Photo: Getty Images

"Harrison, 30, is coming off an All-Star season during which he posted a .272/.339/.432 slash line with a career-high 16 homers in 542 plate appearances. He served as the Pirates’ primary second baseman, starting 79 games at that position, but he also continued to display his exceptional versatility by starting 37 games at third base and six in left field. Harrison also has big-league experience at shortstop and in right field, so he’d be able to slot into most teams’ starting lineups..."

Photo: Getty Images

And so you gotta wonder what's happening here and if this is even true.

Look, my only guess is that the Pirates are willing to move Cole, but want to unload Harrison too... or the Yankees want a sweeter deal for what they are willing to give up.  Whatever it is, it's crystal clear to me that there's a standoff about Cole between the 2 teams and it's just a matter of what personnel each team is willing to move. Whatever the case, I just wanted to keep you all in the loop. That's what we do here at BYB.

Interesting stuff.