Yankees predicted to trade for non-Tarik Skubal, Sandy Alcantara starter

Whether it's injuries, not playing as well as they have recently, or anything else, there's a strong sense that the New York Yankees need to improve on the mound before this year's deadline. 

As I've always said, we should expect the Yankees to at least add a bullpen arm or two, given that's what every contending team in Major League Baseball does. 

I would love for the Yankees to go out there and make the right moves on the bump, which should result in them making a trade or two for a starting pitcher.

The Yankees will have a lot of options to choose from, with guys like Tarik Skubal, Sonny Gray, Sandy Alcantara, and others available. 

There will be some other under-the-radar names on the market as well, including Michael Wacha. 

Wacha, who has had some impressive years over the past few seasons with the Kansas City Royals, could be a perfect addition for a team like the Yankees. They were recently predicted to land him, and it makes a lot of sense to go in that direction.

“The Yankees have a 4-man rotation going right now as they await the returns of Max Fried and Carlos Rodon. When those starters return, the Yankees will be just fine. Nonetheless, they can add Wacha, who can flex to the bullpen if need be, although a bullpen move would be more likely for Will Warren…

“The value controlled not by the pitcher would come from the run and bullpen support. As for the Yankees, they are 5th in the MLB in offensive rating and 6th in bullpen WAR,” Thomas Carelli wrote.

The interesting part about the veteran right-hander is that he isn't going to be a savior for the Yankees. 

He's thrown the baseball at a really high level recently, posting a 3.45 ERA and 114.2 innings this season. However, he's not the same caliber as some of those other ace-caliber arms available. That's ultimately something the Yankees will have to decide on in the immediate future.

More MLB news:

• Phillies’ Cristopher Sanchez is planned NL All-Star starter
• Padres have ‘no choice’ but to be trade deadline sellers if things don’t turn around
• Blue Jays trade idea swaps two top-10 prospects to Mets for Freddy Peralta
• Astros showing ‘strong interest’ in Rockies’ Mickey Moniak and Jake McCarthy
• Angels GM says ’NO!’ in response to Phillies trade rumor for Mike Trout