MLB trade rumors: Why Yankees, Red Sox could chase the same starting pitchers

Yankees general manger Brian Cashman and Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski are both checking out the market for starting pitching before the July 31, 2018 (7/31/18) non-waiver trade deadline. The market includes St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez, Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Nathan Eovaldi and Chicago White Sox right-hander James Shields.

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The second half of the 2018 MLB season begins Friday for the Yankees, who host the Mets at Yankee Stadium.

The Boston Red Sox are back in action as well, visiting the Detroit Tigers.

The Red Sox will take the field with a 4.5-game lead over the Yankees in the American League East, thanks to their MLB-best 68-30 record.

Both the Red Sox and Yankees are on pace to win 100 games, meaning we could have an historic race for the division title between these two long-time rivals.

But they are also in a race before the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline, because the Red Sox, like the Yankees, now have a need for starting pitching, per The Athletic:

It didn’t look good when Eduardo Rodriguez raced over to cover the first base bag on Saturday in the sixth inning and collided with Toronto’s Lourdes Gurriel rolling his ankle in the process. Manager Alex Cora confirmed as much the next day.

“There’s some serious damage in the ankle,” Cora said, adding it’s a ligament injury. “No surgery required. He’s going to have a [walking] boot for two weeks, and then we will reevaluate to see where he’s at.”

Given Rodriguez’s injury history and the length of time it took for him to feel comfortable on the mound following knee surgery, it’s hard to feel confident about what he will provide when he returns.

Meanwhile, Drew Pomeranz, who went on the disabled list June 5 with biceps tendinitis, pitched in another rehab outing Wednesday for Pawtucket. He posted much better numbers than in his previous three outings (when he surrendered 10 runs over 9 1/3 innings), allowing one run on one hit over six innings.

Steven Wright still remains sidelined with knee inflammation as a side effect from his surgery last season and doesn’t appear ready to return anytime soon.

Ranking pitchers for Yankees with odds

The trade market for starting pitching is less than overwhelming. St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez gave up six runs in five innings on Thursday, taking the loss against the Chicago Cubs.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Nathan Eovaldi and Chicago White Sox right-hander James Shields pitch on Friday.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.