The Yankees just can't catch a break when it comes to their starting rotation.
Domingo German, who was surprisingly one of the best rotation arms, hit the IL with a hip flexor strain last week. He was the latest starter to hit the list that has had the likes of James Paxton and CC Sabathia on it. Luis Severino has been a mainstay as well, suffering a lat strain that moved him to the 60-day IL.
The Yankees know they need to add help to makeup for these losses, and potential ones down the road. Many believed Dallas Keuchel would choose to wear pinstripes this season, but the Braves beat out their bid in the end.
Now the team must revert their eyes to the trade market, which has some interesting arms to work with. Here are their best options...
Giants LHP Madison Bumgarner
The veteran lefty has had his name floated around with the Yankees for awhile now. San Francisco is likely to be a seller, and with Bumgarner in the final year of his five-year deal, he's a top candidate to be moved.
The Yankees are in championship-or-bust mode, and Bumgarner's obvious track record in the postseason makes him the perfect starter to target. As an MLB executive told SNY contributor John Harper: "He's still in that handful of guys you'd pick from to start a postseason game you had to have."
While the 29-year-old's velocity has been a little down and his breaking stuff hasn't had the same late bite, he is still pitching to the tune of a 3.83 ERA over 14 starts thus far. He also has 84 strikeouts to 17 walks on the season as well.
Blue Jays RHP Marcus Stroman
Stroman had an up-and-down season last year with injuries forcing him to miss nearly half his starts, but has turned it around in 2019. And the Yankees have noticed, with The Post's Ken Davidoff saying they have checked in with the Blue Jays to see if they'd be willing to trade him.
Over 14 starts, Stroman owns a 3.31 ERA and 1.32 WHIP so far this season. Unlike Bumgarner, Stroman would go through the arbitration process this coming offseason instead of hitting free agency right away. That gives the Yankees control, but would likely make them give up a little more for him.
Still, Stroman has proven success in the AL East, and knows what it's like to face the Red Sox more than most on the market. With that being the Yankees' biggest enemy for the AL East title, Stroman could be the man for them.
Tigers LHP Matthew Boyd
According to MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi, the Tigers have made it known they're open to clear their check books, and sell off some of their top veterans. Boyd is on that list, and the Yankees could target him to bolster the rotation.
The 28-year-old southpaw has been pitching well this season, owning a 3.08 ERA over 84.2 innings (14 starts). He has had a knack for punchouts this season, with 105 on the season compared to 15 walks.
Boyd would be a long-term option for the Yanks as well, being eligible for free agency in 2023.
Indians RHP Trevor Bauer
The Indians are surprisingly hovering around .500 this season, and sit 10.5 games back of the Twins in the AL Central. So, if they begin to slip, they could turn into sellers.
In turn, Bauer could hit the trade block, and the Yankees might jump on one of the more dynamic starters in the game. The 28-year-old has a 3.71 ERA this season with 109 strikeouts, 45 walks and a 1.18 WHIP over 99.1 innings.
Bauer's control on the mound definitely hasn't been what it was last season, and he has the personality quirks that the Yankees may not be keen of. However, he is under team control for another year, and has postseason experience with Cleveland.
Mets RHP Zack Wheeler
Will the crosstown rivals make a trade? SNY's Andy Martino believes it's possible.
Martino reported on Tuesday that the Yankees have pivoted from Noah Syndergaard to Wheeler, and that hasn't changed after his dud against the pinstripes that day. He allowed nine runs (five earned) on 10 hits over 4.2 innings at Yankee Stadium.
But the Yankees have been impressed by his other starts. He has been able to go deep into games, lasting at least seven innings in six of his last seven starts before Tuesday's game. The long ball has been an issue, and Yankee Stadium isn't the most pitcher-friendly park.
However, Wheeler's consistency to save the bullpen and get outs on any given night could intrigue them to trade off some assets.