Yankees' 'most untouchable' trade target is not Aaron Judge or Gerrit Cole

Even amid a rough stretch, the New York Yankees are one of the best teams in baseball. 

Naturally, that should lead them to buy at this year's trade deadline. Bullpen help and adding an offensive-minded third baseman should be the primary focus. 

But there will be players who are off limits to other clubs. Superstar right fielder Aaron Judge is the most obvious candidate for an "off-limits" title. 

Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter has tabbed a Yankees starting pitcher as the most untouchable trade chip New York has on its roster. 

Here's a hint: It's not Gerrit Cole or Max Fried. 

"Even if Aaron Judge were not excluded from the conversation due to his long-term contract, there's a case to be made that [Cam] Schlittler is the single most valuable asset on the roster," Reuter wrote. "He is 25 years old, has five years of club control remaining after this season, and is currently pitching to a 1.35 ERA and 0.78 WHIP in 60.0 innings while looking like the AL version of Paul Skenes." 

Schlittler has emerged as the ace of the pitching staff. That's especially true now that Max Fried is on the IL with a bone bruise in his throwing elbow. 

The righty loudly introduced himself to the Majors with a 12-strikeout performance in a win over the Boston Red Sox in last year's postseason. 

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For such a young pitcher, Schlittler has the poise and confidence of a veteran. That, mixed with his nearly unhittable stuff, makes him untouchable in trade talks. 

Just like the Yankees wouldn't consider trading Judge, they should hang up the phone if an organization calls about Schlittler. 

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