So what does this team need now?????

Alright, I get that the actual, numerical mid-point of the season came a few days ago. There are more games behind us than ahead of us here in the 2009 season. We all get it. Let's move on.
Because, really, the All Star break is the mid-point of the season in terms of assessment. By this time, a lot of the pretenders have fallen away, a lot of the contenders have established themselves in the race, and most importantly, everyone should have, by now, assessed their needs.
The Yankees are significantly better than they were last year and, before the last two games in Anaheim, were rolling along, looking like world beaters. The Angels have a tendency to change that view for the Yankees, but it still doesn't change the fact that the first half for the Yankees was a successful one.
So, what do the Yankees need to take the next step? I have put together a small list of needs and possible ways to fill those needs.

*Win Today Baby!!!!!!!!!!!

The Red Sox are going to win this afternoon. They just are. The Royals are impossible to respect. They just don't seem to compete. So, a win today, with CC Sabathia on the mound, would keep the Yankees 2 games out going into the break, prevent a 3-game sweep where the team legitimately could have won the first two, and would right the ship before a little vacation.

*Get the hell out of Anaheim.

Is there a place in baseball Yankee fans hate more than Anaheim? My God, it is a house of horrors, it really is. If the Yankees get the win, they should sprint to the plane and give the pilot extra to speed out of that area. Just horrid.

*Address the rotation with real solutions.

This has become the biggest problem area for the team, no question, and the the pivot point remains Chien Mien Wang. Coming into the season there was some question as to whether Wang or AJ Burnett would actually be considered the team's number two pitcher. Burnett's stuff is electric but Wang's consistency and resume suggested he was deserving of such accolades.
At the break, Wang's entire season is in jeopardy and, even if he were to return from the DL healthy, his shaky-at-best first half makes him a real question mark. That means that one spot in the rotation, right now, is in complete limbo. Alfredo Aceves, in my opinion, is needed in the bullpen, you don't want to touch Kei Igawa with a 20-foot pole, and unless someone has been really, realy wrong on the future for Sergio Mitre (which is always a possibility) he doesn't seem to be a long-term answer for this team either.
What makes the conversation even more tricky is that Joba Chamberlain and Andy Pettitte have both been experiencing recent struggles. But, in all honesty, what can you do with either one? You aren't gonna move Phil Hughes into the rotation and move out Joba. Why? First, because Joba still, despite his troubles and his surreal post-game press conferences where he seems to be in the beginning stages of true denial, deserves more of a chance to struggle through and prove himself as a starter. Seventeen starts this season isn't enough of a sampling and his recent struggles shouldn't overshadown the fact that, for the most part this year, he has been pretty good. If he can get back to what he was a month ago, he will be valuable to the Yankees.
Second, there is no guarantee that Hughes would be significantly better than Joba in the rotation. It wasn't like the youngster was coming off three shutouts when he was moved to the rotation. Third, Hughes is finally, for the first time since that game in Texas in 07, showing the type of stuff and ability that had the Yankees refusing to trade him for Johan Santana a few years ago. Do you really want to ping-pong this kid back and forth and threaten his arm? Fourth, Joba, right now, has a problem with his control, with his velocity, and with the big inning. That doesn't sound like a recipe for success in the pen. Whatever is ailing him right now, it is foolish to think it would be solved by a move to the pen. His lack of control and lack-luster velocity could make him a liability at the end of close games. Fifth, and finally, moving Joba doesn't solve the other two problems, so why do it?
If Wang can't come back and Pettitte remains this inconsistent, the Yankees will need to make a move for a pitcher.
Who?
Forget, and I mean FORGET, Roy Halladay. I don't think they are moving him in Toronto anyway, but if they did they aren't sending him packing to a team that would show up in their home ballpark 9 or 10 times a year. Cliff Lee? The Indians would probably be willing to move him for a steep price and it is hard for me to believe that Brian Cashman, who two years ago wouldn't part with Hughes for Santana or Ian Kennedy for Dan Haren, would be willing to give up a lot for an older Cliff Lee.
No, I think, if the Yankees were going to make a trade for the starter, it would be in the vein of a Jon Garland, who has pitched well over his last 6 starts for the Diamondbacks. Some other notables who might be available come the end of the month:
Jason Marquis, Colorado: The Rockies recent resurgence might mean Marquis is off the market, but if not, he has the type of stuff the Yankees could use (sinker) and has pitched in the Rockies, so the new launching pad in the Bronx wouldn't be a shock to the system to the 30-year old righty. However, it might take more to get him than some other, more expensive options.
Erick Bedard, Mariners: Here are the positives - Bedard is a hard-throwing lefty, he has pitched, and pitched well, in the AL East before, he has top-quality stuff, and after a terribly disappointing year last year he has been very good this year, pitching to a 2.58 ERA, 73 strikeouts in 69 innings, and only allowing 56 hits. Here are the negatives - he has already spent time on the DL this year after an injury plagued season last year, he is 30 so, while not old by any means, he isn't a kid, and perhaps most disturbing, no one seems to like the guy. His "character" issues seem to be very real.
But, he does have a large contract and the Mariners might be willing to take less to get him off the team. If the Yankees could find a reason to believe Bedard is not as bad a guy as some have painted him, it might make for a great trade for the team as Bedard, when right, can be as good as anyone.
Jonathan Sanchez, Giants: Sanchez is a lefty, has great stuff, is only 26, and just threw a no-hitter. But Sanchez's no-no only helped him lower his ERA to 4.68, so it isn't as if Sanchez has been a show stopper this entire season. The Giants might ask for more, in terms of a potential bat, for Sanchez now that he threw the no-no than they would have before, but it is still likely that the price wouldn't be all that high. Erik Hinske is looking pretty good right now, isn't he? How about Hinske, Juan Miranda, and a throw in for Sanchez. I would do that trade. Would the Giants? Perhaps. Would Sanchez be better than what the Yankees have now? If nothing else, it would give them yet another live lefty arm that is under 30. If he ever figured it out for the Yanks, it could potentially be a steal.

*Let's look at the outfield, please.

The offense has been fine, but I am still very wary of running Nick Swisher and Melky Cabrera out there on a day-in and day-out basis. I think Swisher would be best suited as a part-time player - someone with some pop off the bench, who can play all outfield positions and, when needed, first base. Melky could be used as trade bait now that he has played well enough to, I'm sure, raise some team's interest, and the Yankees could really use someone in right field that would be a fixture. Swisher's defense is shaky at best and Melky just doesn't hit for enough power, in an outfield devoid of power when Swisher sits, to constitute more playing time.
Who would work for the Yankees?
Vernon Well, Toronto: I know, I know........Wells contract is HUGE. I get that. But what if the Yankees could convince the Jays to eat SOME of the contract? For instance, Wells right now will be owed $98.5 million over the length of his contract (through 2014). Would the Jays be willing to pick up $40 million? Would that be enough to make a trade worth it for the Yankees? That would essentially mean the Yankees would be paying $58.5 million for Wells for 5 years. That averages out to about $11.7 million per year. For the Jays, that would average out to around $8 million per year. Would they be willing to do that, considering that, right now, they would be paying Wells an average of $19.7 million over the next five years.
Here is why I would consider making the deal: He is only 30 years old, which means he isn't near the end of his career; he is a very good defensive player and, at this point, could be moved to right field where he would be an elite corner outfield defender; last year, in 108 games, he hit 20 homers and drove in 78 RBI, while this year he is on pace for 16 homers and 68 RBI, 20+ steals and 41 doubles; he is only 2 1/2 years removed from a 32 homer, 106 RBI season; if you take into account the way the ball jumps out of Yankee Stadium, his power numbers might jump; because of his salary, even if the Blue Jays ate some of the contract, he would essentially cost no major prospects.
Is it worth the money to take on a great defensive player, good clubhouse guy, only 30 years old, who could still have special years ahead of him?
I know it aint my money but it could be worth the risk, and since the Yankees seem to be adverse to giving up their prospects, money deals are what they will be left with.
Probably won't happen, but worth the discussion.
Alex Rios, Toronto: I am a big fan of Rios and this is probably more doeable than the Wells idea I had. Rios is 28, a very good right fielder, has always killed the Yankees, steals some bases, hits for a decent amount of power, and is getting paid top dollar while only producing at a second-tier level. Rios is owed another $6o million by the Blue Jays, meaning they would look at this as a salary dump more than anything.
The problem with this is simple: Rios is younger than Wells, probably at this point a little better, and is owed less money. That means that more teams will be in on any potential deal. While it is fiscally smarter to try and trade for Rios, Wells would only cost you money. Plus, with more teams involved in Rios, it is likely the Jays would choose to trade him outta devision, whereas Wells could probably be had by anyone who showed some serious interest.
Matt Holliday, Oakland: Holliday can be had and everyone knows it. However, how good is Holliday anyway? For instance, if you're the Yankees, why wouldn't you go after Wells as opposed to Holliday? Look at what he has done this year away from Colorado: .276, 8, 43, .373, .419.
Wells' numbers are every bit as good, and he's only a year older. Yet, everyone assumes Holliday is in line for a huge pay day, courtesy of being a Boras client, and some have even suggested the yankees will be bidders for his services. Why?
I would avoid Holliday at all costs.
David DeJesus, Kansas City: He's a New York native, good defender, having a bad year. He isn't gonna hit for a lot of power but he'll do the little things to help a team win.
Ryan Garko, Cleveland Indians: Garko is the team's first baseman right now, but he has played 11 games this year in the outfield and made one error while out there. I can't speak intelligently about how good Garko is or can be in the outfield, but the Indians have soured on the 28-year old and he might be easily gettable.
He has more power, has a good eye, and doesn't strike out a lot. It might be worth a shot.

*More Brett Gardner, please.

Gardner appears to be entrenched in center field right now, but in the ever changing world of Joe Girardi you never, ever know. The speedy Gardner is a better defensive player than Melky and he makes more things happen with his legs. Melky has more pop and a better arm, but neither advantage is so pronounced that it should give him playing time over Melky.
I think Cabrera might be a valuable fourth outfielder on the team and, if the right deal came along, could be someone's center fielder, but Gardner brings more and should be allowed to show that for the rest of the season.