The New York Yankees look like the clear-cut favorites in the American League East these days, but they've got to keep their foot on the pedal.
Following four straight series wins, the Yankees have opened up a 4 1/2-game lead in the division. Their stars are performing (Aaron Judge, Max Fried, etc.), aided by unexpected contributions from hitters like Ben Rice and Trent Grisham.
However, the Yankees still have a hole at the end of their starting rotation, with only Fried, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt locking up spots based on track record and performance this season.
Even if pitchers like Will Warren and Ryan Yarbrough rise to the occasion, it would seem obvious that New York will look to add starters ahead of the deadline. And one Yankees writer has an early top target.
On Tuesday, Ryan Garcia of Empire Sports Media strongly urged the Yankees to trade for Cincinnati Reds starter Nick Martinez, who is on a one-year, $21 million contract after accepting the qualifying offer before the season.
"Finding a number three or number four starter would be fine in my opinion, and Nick Martinez serves as a great option to target at the deadline," Garcia wrote.
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"A free agent at the end of the season, a mediocre Reds team that’s stuck in a loaded National League might be willing to deal Martinez away for prospect capital, especially since he won’t be eligible for the Qualifying Offer this winter."
Martinez, 34, has been both a starter and a reliever in his career, but with a 3.66 ERA in 51 2/3 innings so far, he's proving he can stick in the rotation long-term. He's not a huge strikeout guy (40 punchouts) but he's become adept at avoiding hard contact as he enters his mid-30s.
There will assuredly be plenty of names for the Yankees to track over the next couple of months, but Martinez is on the list, perhaps near the top.
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