Who are Yankees targeting in search for pitching?

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July 31: Yankees reportedly discussing Alcantara, Cabrera, Bednar in trade talks
Hours before the Trade Deadline, the Yankees continue to explore ways to upgrade their pitching staff on both ends. According to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi, the Bronx Bombers have been involved in talks regarding Marlins starters Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera. They are also interested in Pirates closer David Bednar, per MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. Even more, The Athletic reports that the Yankees are considered the frontrunner for Bednar.

The Yankees have already added a trio of position players in recent days, swinging trades for Ryan McMahon, Amed Rosario and Austin Slater.

July 30: Yankees add another bat; pitching next?
The Yankees acquired outfielder Austin Slater from the White Sox for right-hander Gage Ziehl (New York's No. 18 prospect per MLB Pipeline) on Wednesday morning. Slater becomes the third bat the Yankees have acquired leading up to the Trade Deadline, joining Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario.

With their position-player group shored up, the Yankees will likely focus on upgrading their pitching staff. They've been linked to targets on a wide variety of teams, including the Marlins (Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera), the D-backs (Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly), the Pirates (Mitch Keller, David Bednar, Dennis Santana, Andrew Heaney) and the Padres (Dylan Cease).

July 29: Yankees 'engaged' on potential rotation upgrades
A strength for much of the season, the Yankees' rotation has crumbled amid the team's recent slide. Entering play on Tuesday, their starting pitchers have combined for a 6.03 ERA, the second-worst mark in the Majors.

Shoring up the rotation is on the to-do list for GM Brian Cashman, who acknowledged back on July 10 that he would “love” to import a starter. And as the Deadline nears, the Yankees are “remaining engaged” with the Marlins and D-backs on potential rotation upgrades, according to MLB Network Insider Jon Morosi.

Both teams have two starting pitchers who double as trade targets. For Miami, all eyes are on Sandy Alcantara, whose market is “picking up drastically,” per The Athletic’s Jim Bowden. Alcantara, the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner, owns a 6.66 ERA in his first season back from Tommy John surgery. He’s scheduled to start on Tuesday against the Cardinals, with one last chance to impress potential suitors.

Then there’s Edward Cabrera, a right-hander with a 3.35 ERA through 18 starts. The 27-year-old won’t reach free agency until after the 2028 season and has pitched to a 2.11 ERA since May 25.

The D-backs have plenty of starting pitching to offer, too. Zac Gallen -- a New Jersey native -- is in the midst of a down year, with a 5.60 ERA in 22 starts. But he flummoxed the Yankees with a 13-strikeout performance in the Bronx on April 2 and has tallied Cy Young votes in two of the past three seasons. Merrill Kelly, a 36-year-old right-hander, has a 3.22 ERA in 22 starts. Kelly has posted 2.2 fWAR this season, which is more than every Yankees starter besides Max Fried.

Both D-backs pitchers also boast significant playoff experience from Arizona's run to the World Series in 2023.

July 26: Does Judge's injury impact Yanks' Deadline plans?
The Yankees announced on Saturday that Aaron Judge will be headed to the 10-day IL with a flexor strain in his right elbow. Upon his return, he's likely to be limited to a DH role for the time being. Will that have an impact on the Yankees' Deadline strategy?

Short answer: no, at least according to Ken Rosenthal. Having landed third baseman Ryan McMahon and utility man Amed Rosario, the Yankees should remain focused on upgrading their pitching staff, likely in the form of at least one starter and multiple relievers.

July 23: Yankees have 'checked in' on Padres starter Cease (report)
The Yankees are among a host of contenders who have reportedly checked in on acquiring Padres right-hander Dylan Cease.

MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported Wednesday that the Yanks -- as well as the Cubs, Mets and Red Sox -- are among the teams to have contacted San Diego about Cease, who very well could be available at the Trade Deadline. On Tuesday, ESPN's Alden Gonzalez wrote that Padres general manager A.J. Preller could get creative at the Deadline by dealing from the team’s crop of pending free agents -- including Cease.

Per ESPN's Buster Olney, Cease has emerged as an option for teams looking for starting pitching in the trade market. In need of a catcher and a left fielder, San Diego could deal Cease to the Yankees or another contender to bolster the rest of its roster.

"Perception of other teams is that the Padres are intent on making a push for the playoffs, and would use Cease to help fill other roster needs," Olney writes.

July 17: Yankees reportedly 'in the mix' for Pirates RHP Keller
The Yankees' starting rotation is in dire need of reinforcements. That quintet currently consists of Max Fried, Carlos Rodón and Marcus Stroman, along with rookies Will Warren and Cam Schlitter. Exacerbating matters is that Fried exited his last start before the All-Star break with a blister on his left index finger.

A third baseman may be the team's biggest Deadline need, but general manager Brian Cashman said last week, "I’ve got to look and see if I can find a [starting pitcher]." One starter the Yankees are looking are is the Pirates' Mitch Keller, according to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (subscription required). However, Keller is also gaining interest from the Cubs and Mets. Hiles writes that the Mets are "very interested" in Keller and may be the frontrunner to acquire him.

Keller, 29, threw 372 1/3 innings over the past two seasons and has recorded a 3.48 ERA over 119 frames this year. That ERA would be Keller's best in a non-shortened season. He's also closing in on his career high in fWAR (3.3 during his 2023 All-Star season); he entered the break with 2.6 fWAR. That's tied with the Twins' Joe Ryan for 18th-best among qualified starters.

Keller is in the second year of a five-year, $77 million contract. He is due about $55 million from 2026-28.