RUMOR: THE YANKEES HAVE THEIR EYE ON A NEW STARTER!

Let the trade rumors begin! The August 1st trade deadline is fast approaching, and the Yankees have their eye on an interesting target. As much as this team has underperformed the Yankees are still ready to make moves to improve their chances of a playoff run.

The Yankees want and need some rotation help. Hopefully, Carlos Rodon pitches like the top of the rotation stud the Yankees envisioned but the Yankees can't bank on it. The Yankees always battle injuries every season, but this one seems to hurt more and Gerrit Cole can't do it all.

Sports Illustrated ran an interesting piece yesterday, check it out HERE. The Yankees and Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians could be a nice match, IF he is available. That could be a big IF. The Guardians are currently leading the AL Central division with a 45-45 record so they could do anything at the deadline. They are locked in for a playoff spot now, but that division is still close and anything can happen. Cleveland has had a rocky season just like the Yankees, and they could choose to offload Bieber in hopes to reload for 2024 and beyond.

Bieber could be a nice upgrade for the Yankees, but we've heard tis before. It's exactly what we heard when we added Rodon. The vision was Cole, Rodon and Nestor Cortes for a lights out 1-2-3 but that hasn't panned out. Bieber has been reliable with a 3.77 ERA in 19 starts and could be even better. He was the 2020 AL Cy Young winner and has experience that could be valuable in the Bronx.....if he can handle the added pressure.

That's always the unknown, can a proven pitcher outside New York handle the bright lights. Even if Cleveland is willing to deal him, he won't come cheap. He's under team control through 2024, so they will want a pretty penny for him. But getting a top of the rotation pitcher under team control for two postseasons is attractive and so is a rotation of Cole, Rodon, and Bieber. It's intriguing.

This is my favorite time of the year (not including the postseason). I love the trade rumors and buzz as the deadline gets closer! I like the idea of Bieber, but honestly pitching is not the Yankees biggest problem. We could have five number one starters, but if this offense isn't fixed it won't matter.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj