With the New York Yankees missing out on two starting pitchers -- Ubaldo Jimenez and Hiroki Kuroda -- and a top-notch closer (setup man) Heath Bell, who has yet to be traded but probably wont be headed to New York, the next-best option is the Houston Astros' left-handed starter Wandy Rodriguez.
Now, Rodriguez is a nice viable option for the Yankees if the price is, again, right. Currently, the Astros are looking to trade every valuable player on their roster -- they've already shipped former franchise outfielder, Hunter Pence, to the Philadelphia Phillies and leadoff hitter, base-stealing extraordinary, Michael Bourn, to the Atlanta Braves. So, Rodriguez is available if somebody gives the Astros the right prospects and will pay the remainder of his contract.
According to the Houston Chronicle's Richard Justice, Houston is shopping hard for suitors for Rodriguez, but it seems the Astros might need to absorb more of the lefty's $40-million contract then they want. If the Yankees and Astros can maybe, some how, meet halfway then this would be a very good pickup for New York. Of course, it all depends on who the Yankees will need to give up to get him.
As the day progress, check back to SB Nation New York for all your Yankee trade rumors news. For more reaction and insight on Yankees Trade Rumors visit SB Nation's Pinstripe Alley.