We are now down to three days until the July 31 trade deadline.
We all know the Yankees‘ most obvious need going into Sunday’s deadline: starting pitching.
We know the Yankees have a huge interest in Colorado Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez, but GM Brian Cashman seems very reluctant to deal the prospects Colorado asks for in return: catcher Jesus Montero and pitchers Dellin Betances, Manny Banuelos and Ivan Nova.
So while the Rockies continue to play hardball with the Yankees for Jimenez, New York is pursuing other options for a starter.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that the Yankees are in regular contact with the Los Angeles Dodgers regarding Hiroki Kuroda.
Kuroda is 6-12 with a 3.11 ERA with 103 strikeouts and 36 walks in 133 innings pitched in 2011 for the Dodgers.
Kuroda has lost four straight games in a row for the Dodgers, dating back to July 1, when he did win his last game for the team.
While the Yankees would really like to get Kuroda, who is in the final year of his contract with the Dodgers, there are major hurdles to get this guy.
The first one is the full no-trade clause Kuroda has in his contract.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports said that it is unclear whether or not Kuroda would even approve a deal to leave the Dodgers.
A.J. Cassavell of MLB.com reported last night that Kuroda said he couldn’t fathom wearing any other uniform other than the Dodgers one, but would go over options with his agent, Steve Hillard.
The Yankees aren’t the only team who is interested in Kuroda; the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers also have interest in the 36-year-old pitcher.
Judging by from what I’ve heard from numerous reports and rumors, I doubt the Yankees will be able to get a deal done to get Kuroda.
It seems like he is really happy pitching in Los Angeles. Plus, who knows how he would even handle pitching in the American League with the stronger lineups as opposed to the National League and the N.L. West lineups.
Following a 9-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday, and watching Phil Hughes lose to a team that had dropped 17 in a row, it’s clear he’s still not reliable.
Yes, he pitched six innings and allowed only two runs. But he was also facing a Seattle team that is pitiful and dreadful on offense, and they looked like they could easily hit Hughes.
To me, this is a guy who is not dependable right now for the Yankees, who are in a pennant race.
And this is why the Yankees’ search for a starter continues.
But back to Kuroda. Honestly, I don’t think he’s coming to New York, unless he has some change of heart in the next three days, but if he’s been so persistent to stay and pitch for the Dodgers, then I don’t see him waiving his no-trade clause.
I think in the next couple days, the Yankees will continue to search around the league for options.
They called the Florida Marlins asking about Ricky Nolasco, but Florida said no.
The Chicago Cubs called the Yankees asking if they wanted to take Carlos Zambrano and his contract off their hands, but apparently the Yankees aren’t interested.
So you have to wonder if maybe they turn back to Jimenez and work something out, pending Jimenez doesn’t get traded elsewhere.
We know the Cincinnati Reds and now the Cleveland Indians have been interested in Jimenez as well. But, like reported in my story yesterday, the Yankees still remain the best team with the best odds to land Jimenez.
With three days to go, the Yankees will continue to search for answers to help their team and rotation get stronger for the second half and for a postseason run in October.
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