Yankees' Brian Cashman facing pressure with 'clear need' at trade deadline

The New York Yankees have not won a World Series title since 2009, and it's general manager Brian Cashman's job to help end the drought. 

Cashman will have a few areas of the roster to upgrade at this year's trade deadline. 

Acquiring a right-handed hitting catcher should be a priority, as the tandem of Austin Wells and J.C. Escarra has been one of the worst in the sport at the position. 

But that's not the only area of the roster Cashman should be eyeing to improve. ESPN's Buster Olney wrote Tuesday that the Yankees have a "clear need" elsewhere. 

"But the bullpen will likely undergo a makeover at the trade deadline, with a clear need for a couple of power arms," Olney wrote. "Maybe Ryan Weathers will go, but Cashman might also have to deal for one of the better relievers available -- as well as a right-handed hitter, such as Twins catcher Jeffers." 

New York's bullpen is thin on relievers with strikeout stuff. Closer David Bednar and Fernando Cruz and his nasty splitter stand out. 

Camilo Doval's pitching arsenal should be generating more swings and misses than it is, but he's managed to walk just 4.5% of the batters he's faced while generating ground balls at a 58% rate. 

Tim Hill is more of a pitch-to-contact guy, and Jake Bird's tenure with the AL East club has been anything but successful. The Yankees also have Carlos Lagrange and Yovanny Cruz in Triple-A, waiting for an opportunity. 

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With the surplus of starting pitching the Yankees have, it's easy to see why they would consider moving Weathers to the bullpen. But that one transition won't solve everything. 

Cashman could and should be aggressive in his pursuit of one of the top high-leverage arms available. It could make the difference between a 28th championship and another year of waiting. 

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