I don’t buy it. Not for one second. The Yankees aren’t done dealing.

 

While the Red Sox added an impact bat in Victor Martinez, the Yankees stood pat, choosing to hold onto all their prospects. Of course, deals can still go down for another month as long as players go through waivers, so this means the Yankees might be choosing to flex their financial muscle and absorb a bad contract held by a starting pitcher.

 

Make no mistake about it: This team still needs a starter. Joe Girardi has acknowledged that the Yankees are a little thin. Chien-Ming Wang is gone for the year, perhaps for good. Let’s assume the organization will hold strong on Joba Chamberlain’s innings limit. You have to hope that the minor soreness that Alfredo Aceves is dealing with doesn’t develop into something more serious. As well as the Yankees have played since the All-Star Break, they still only hold a slim lead over the Red Sox in the AL East. The Rangers’ young pitching might be for real. The Rays still linger. Detroit added Jarrod Washburn, and Jake Peavy could give the White Sox a late season push. This playoff race is far from finished.

 

So, who could be on the radar? My colleague, Jon Lane, name checked Bronson Arroyo, who some later, denied reports linked to the Yankees last week. Arroyo will be making $11 million next year with a club option for 2011 that includes a $2 million buyout clause. His teammate Aaron Harang, is also commanding big dollars — $12.5 million next year plus the same club option\buyout for ’11. In today’s economy, a contending team might spring for Harang, one of baseball’s more underrated pitchers in recent years, while Arroyo could probably be had in a much easier fashion. Economically, Arizona’s Doug Davis could be a top target for teams. He’ll be a free agent at the end of the year, and the 33-year-old lefty has pitched better than his 5-10 record, posting a 3.76 ERA heading into his start Friday night against the Mets.

 

Don’t turn off the trade wires just yet.