I don’t know if the Yankees are out of the woods on the Hughes thing, but he sure pitched better in today’s win over the Jays. If he keeps it up, I think we’ve got ourselves a very good second half pitcher. That said, he’s still an “if.” Colon is an “if” right now. Garcia is an “if.” And AJ is a perennial “if.”

Which is my long-winded way of saying I’ve been kind of excited reading about the trade rumors lately. I know, I know. They’re just rumors. Maybe Cashman will end up sticking with what we have, but I doubt it. I think that if we’re really making a run at winning it all, we need another front line pitcher behind CC for the stretch. Is that pitcher this guy?

Jimenez hasn’t been as effective as he was last year, but he’s still pretty good and he’s only 27. The Rockies claim he’s not trade bait, but don’t all teams say that?

And what about this guy?

Garza’s been successful in the AL East, which doesn’t hurt, and he’s pitched on the big stage, another advantage. The Cubs say he’s not trade bait either, but see above. (Personally, I’d have to learn to deal with that flutter motion he does with his glove – ugh.)

It all comes down to which players we’d have to give up, and I’m just glad I’m not a GM.

Back to reality, how hot is Gardner right now? He does look comfortable leading off, doesn’t he?

Nice job by the pen today too. Boone Logan seems to have straightened himself out (no jinx).

Now it’s on to Tampa. As Audrey pointed out in a previous post, our record is only average against our division rivals, so it’s time to step it up and remedy that by winning the series against the Rays. I’m talking to YOU, guy.