Editorial: Yankees Should Add A Key Piece As Trade Season Approaches

May 27, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus (1) hits a single in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

With the season being one-third of the way complete, Yankees’ fans are really starting to get an idea of what kind of team the Yankees are. Sitting in second place at 27-24, the Yankees have shown some grit, fighting through some tough injuries and some pretty poor infield play. Now that trade season is looming, let’s talk about ways the Yankees can improve the roster.

First off, the team has to get more out of the big money free agents they have on the roster. Jacoby Ellsbury has shown flashes, but hitting .259, with 2 homers and 18 RBI is not exactly what the Yankees had in mind when they gave him a $153 million dollar contract. I do think he’ll pull it together though, because he’s got too many tools not to. I’m more concerned about Brian McCann. He has looked really uncomfortable at the plate,  recently going only 5-for-27 his last 10 games. He  has got to start looking for pitches to hit the other way to beat the shift everyone is putting on him. He’s one of the guys the team is counting on to be a  run-producer. Time to pick it up McCann!!

When it comes to players available on the market, I really think an extra bat is needed and I’m going to focus in on second basemen. Brian Roberts has managed to stay healthy, but not much else. And as we all saw against the Cardinals, his defense hasn’t been stellar either. One guy who has popped up on the rumor mill is Elvis Andrus. The Rangers have a glutton of middle infield talent in their farm system, and the word is, the Rangers would be willing to deal Andrus if the price is right. This trade would make sense because Andrus would be able to take over at second until next year when Derek Jeter retires. Andrus would bring a steady glove and be a spark plug-type of guy at the top of our lineup. This could be a stretch, but the Yankees are known for making a splash when it comes to acquiring new players. Lets see what happens…