The New York Yankees' starting rotation is getting some reinforcements soon, but they could still want some more help after Clarke Schmidt's injury.
Max Fried and Carlos Rodón have held things down after Gerrit Cole's injury. Luis Gil's return should help cover the loss of Clarke Schmidt. Ryan Yarbrough was pitching well as a starter before his injury, so his return should also help. However, even with Fried, Rodón, Gil and Yarbrough, the Yankees could want a better fifth starter.
Yarbrough has a 3.83 ERA since entering the rotation. However, he has given up more than two earned runs just once, and an eight-run outing against the Boston Red Sox. That outing has inflated his ERA, but having Yarbrough as the fifth starter in the rotation would be great. Bleacher Report's Tyler Ward suggested the Yankees trade for Seth Lugo of the Kansas City Royals to build an elite rotation.
Lugo was an All-Star last season and finished second in the American League Cy Young Award race. His ERA this season has been better than last year, and he could be on the move at the deadline.
He has a player option after this season, and after back-to-back great seasons, he could decline and search for a better deal on the open market. He has a 2.67 ERA in 17 starts and would be a great addition to the Yankees.
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A rotation of Fried, Rodón, Gil, Lugo and Yarbrough would set the Yankees up for a deep postseason run. Lugo would keep the Yankees from having to rely on Cam Schlittler, Will Warren or Marcus Stroman in the postseason.
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