Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Brian Cashman has a problem: While his need for starting pitching is obvious, neither the choices nor the prices are appealing right now.

Not only that, but an alternative plan stalled when the San Diego Padres asked for Miguel Andujar for lefty reliever Brad Hand, according to major league sources. The Yankees said no thanks, and Hand went to Cleveland.

There have been lots of memorable moments between the Mets and Yankees since the Subway Series began in 1997. 

Among the well-known moments are Dave Mlicki's shutout during the first-ever meeting, Luis Castillo's dropped pop-up, David Wright's game-winning hit off Mariano Rivera, and El Duque tossing his glove.

Before getting to six obscure moments you might have forgotten, let's give an honorable mention to Dwight Gooden returning to Shea Stadium (and beating the Mets) during the two-stadium doubleheader in 2000, and Mr. Koo's mad dash home after doubling off Randy Johnson at Shea Stadium in 2005. Now on the the obscure moments...

The Yankees (62-33) and Mets (39-55) begin a Subway Series rematch to kick off the second half of the season at Yankee Stadium on Friday at 7:05 p.m. 

Yankees Notes...

Yankees C Gary Sanchez returns to the team tonight as the second half of the season kicks off. And New York could see a return of another key cog in their lineup next week as well.

Manager Aaron Boone said Friday he expects star rookie Gleyber Torres to be back with the team next Wednesday at the conclusion of their seris with the Rays in Tampa. Torres will begin rehab games in Tampa tomorrow as he is on the final leg of his rehab assignment. 

Torres suffered a hip strain on July 4, and has been out of the lineup since. He recently said he feels ready to play right now, but the Yankees want to be 100 percent sure he is before sending him back on the field. 

After taking two of three games at Citi Field in June, the Yankees look for more Subway Series success against the Mets at home.

The Yankees, who own the second-best record in baseball, take on the Mets, who have the second-worst record in the National League, in their second Subway Series of the season. 

Here is how each team stacks up for this weekend's three-game series.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

Our weekly minor league report canvases the Yankees farm system, providing updates about the status of the teams in action and the organization's top prospects.

Notes: Top-30 prospect rankings (via MLBPipeline.com) are club based with overall MLB ranks, if applicable, in parenthesis. Prospects currently in the major leagues will not be covered here. Team records and statistics are through games played July 19, 2018, unless otherwise noted.

Yankees have activated C Gary Sanchez from the 10-day DL after recovering from a groin injury sustained on June 24. C Kyle Higashioka was optioned to Triple-A to make room.

Sanchez returns in time to face the Mets at Yankee Stadium as the Yankees trail the Red Sox by 4.5 games heading into the second half of the MLB season.

The 25-year-old Sanchez, who hasn't played since he left the 10th inning of the Yankees' 7-6 loss to the Rays after grounding into a double play, has a .190/.291/.433 batting line with 14 home runs and 41 RBIs in 63 games this season.

Sanchez homered in a rehab game with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Yankees OF Clint Frazier left Thursday's Triple-A game after one at-bat because he was feeling lightheaded, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre manager Bobby Mitchell said, according to the Times Leader's DJ Eberle.

Frazier, who wasn't "feeling too good" prior to the game, attempted to make a diving catch in the bottom of the first inning, which escalated his symptoms, according to Mitchell.

"His head just wasn't -- he said he felt a little foggy and stuff like that," Mitchell said, according to Eberle. "We decided to get him out of there. He just wasn't feeling very good and so he's being evaluated to see exactly what the issue was."

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

After the Padres traded lefthander Brad Hand to Cleveland on Thursday, teams seeking to add or shed relievers expect that market to accelerate rapidly, in ways that will impact both New York teams.

Baltimore's Zach Britton, in whom the Yankees have shown interest, will be traded soon, according to major league sources. Scouts have determined that he is healthy, and the Orioles don't want to wait. As many as 8-10 teams are in on Britton.

Jeurys Familia has slightly less value, in the estimation of many scouts, but will be traded before long. Interested teams consider it unlikely that the Mets will get back a top-ten prospect, but there will be several teams bidding on Familia. Multiple teams will send scouts to Yankee Stadium Friday specifically to see Familia

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives: There is little question the Yankees are in need of starting pitching for the second half. However, adding a starter will unlikely have the impact that might be required as the trade market is filled with more "what-if" hurlers than "sure things."

For example, is anyone fully confident J.A. Happ or Michael Fulmer will carry the team to the World Series? They are solid pitchers and Fulmer's combination of team control and future potential might make him a more attractive commodity. But, right now, neither pitcher resembles an upgrade akin to the Astros adding Justin Verlander last season. This leaves the Yankees in a bit of a predicament.

Enter Masahiro Tanaka...

Another potential Yankees trade target has to be crossed off the list. 

The Indians announced they made a deal with the Padres to land LHP Brad Hand, who the Yankees had reportedly been looking at. Cleveland also acquired another bullpen arm in RHP Adam Cimber. 

In exchange, Cleveland sent their top prospect, C Francisco Mejia, to San Diego. Mejia is also ranked the No. 15 prospect in all of baseball, per MLB Pipeline. 

Yankees OF Giancarlo Stanton wasn't named to the 2018 All-Star Game, but that doesn't mean he didn't have fun over the break. 

Stanton was seen in the Bahamas over the All-Star break, and he was accompanied by model Chase Carter, per The Post's Jaclyn Hendricks. The 21-year-old was a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit rookie in this year's edition. 

Carter had an Instagram story of Stanton running in the water on a Bahamas beach. They supposedly met at CC Sabathia's charity softball game at Yankee Stadium back in June, according to SportsGossip.com.

Manny Machado is officially headed to sunny Los Angeles. 

The now-former Orioles' shortstop will play for the Dodgers in the second half of the season, according to multiple reports. FanCred Sports' Jon Heyman says Baltimore will see a five-prospect return of OF Yusniel Diaz, RHP Dean Kremer, RHP Zach Pop, 3B Ryan Bannon, and INF Breyvic Valera.

Diaz was the Dodgers' No. 4 overall prospect, while Kremer was the team's No. 28 prospect. 

With the trade deadline approaching swiftly, every team is doing their due diligence of scouting farm systems across the country. As for the Yankees, they've certainly being putting in the extra hours as GM Brian Cashman is looking to make a splash with a preference in the pitching department.

The Giants have also been doing their homework, and the Yankees' farm system is at the top of their list. In fact, they have their eyes set on one particular prospect.

Right-handed hurler Albert Abreu reportedly impressed the Giants when they took a look at the Yankees' lower-level farm teams, per NJ.com's Brendan Kuty. Abreu is the Yankees' third-best prospect, according to MLB.com, and he is sporting a 4.28 ERA over 48.1 innings with High-A Tampa this season. 

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter | The Yankees were genuine in their pursuit of Manny Machado, but never willing to sacrifice a top prospect to land the Baltimore shortstop, who is set to become a Dodger when play resumes Friday. Brian Cashman has preserved his farm system, but his team is still 4.5 games behind Boston in the American League East.

The Yankees face a real possibility of being a championship-caliber club, but facing elimination in a one-game wild card playoff. Cashman would like to avoid this, of course, and he will be active over the next days and weeks in an effort to improve.

The GM is surely engaged in talks with teams that have remained secret, but here's what we've been able to smoke out so far, through major league sources. Cashman could quickly pivot to any one of these options, now that he is done pursuing Machado...

New York Yankees baseball is normally associated with one of the best franchises in all of sports. Well, the money speaks for itself.

According to Forbes, the Yankees are valued at $4 billion, making them the most valuable MLB franchise in 2018. They also come in at fifth overall in the world. 

There are six MLB teams in the top 50, but this storied franchise can thank their exciting, young team for a large boost in revenue. Led by Aaron Judge, Luis Severino, and Gary Sanchez, this young Yankees team is drawing viewers at home and at Yankee Stadium.

Luis Severino worked around a leadoff double and pitched a scoreless second inning on Tuesday night in his first MLB All-Star game.

Severino pitched in the bottom of the second inning after teammate Aaron Judge hit a solo home run in the top of the inning to give the AL a 1-0 lead. Severino was warming up in the bullpen at the time and caught Judge's home run.

Matt Kemp led off the bottom half of the inning with a line drive double to left fielder Aaron Judge, putting a runner in scoring position. But Severino struck out Bryce Harper, got Nick Markakis to fly out, and struck out Brandon Crawford to end the inning.

Yankees OF Aaron Judge hit a solo home run deep to left field during the MLB All-Star game on Tuesday night.

Judge's blast, which came in the second inning against National League starter Max Scherzer, gave the American League team an early 1-0 lead.

Yankees RHP Luis Severino watched "Friends" to help him learn English, he said on Jim Rome's Daily Jungle.

"I love watching 'Friends,'" said Severino, who is representing the Yankees at the MLB All-Star game in D.C. "I think I learned a lot of English from watching 'Friends.'"

Severino said in the past he has asked teammates if he was unsure of a word.

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter | The Yankees believed as of Tuesday morning that another team was close to a deal for Baltimore shortstop Manny Machado, according to a major league source. Had the Yanks included pitching prospect Justus Sheffield in their offer at any point, they would have landed Machado, the source said.

The source cautioned not to totally rule anyone out yet, even the Yankees. The Orioles are known to kill potential deals because of an uncommonly stringent medical review process, and could still pivot.

The Phillies, Dodgers and Brewers have been aggressive on Machado. The Yankees have too, but only to a point. GM Brian Cashman has so far been unwilling to move Sheffield, keeping him out of the lead.

With 'Enter Sandman' playing, Yankees closer Mariano Rivera trotted in from the bullpen in the eighth inning at the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field.

The ballpark was filled with primarily Mets fans, but Rivera still got a rousing standing ovation from the fans. Both dugouts also saluted Rivera before he threw his first pitch.

Click below to watch...

The freakishly-talented two-sport star Bo Jackson crushed three homers for the Royals at Yankee Stadium on today's date in 1990.

Jackson's first homer went to center field, over the head of Deion Sanders. Yes, Deion Sanders. The symmetry is perfect. His second shot sailed deep in to the bleachers in right center, and his third and final blast sailed over the short porch in right field.

Click below to see

Manny Machado may not be giving his preference in where he wants the Orioles to trade him, but his nephew does. 

During an interview with MLB Network at the Home Run Derby in Washington D.C., analyst Pedro Martinez asked Machado's nephew where he wants to see his uncle play when the trade frenzy settles around MLB's biggest trade chip. 

CLICK BELOW TO WATCH THE VIDEO

While the Yankees have been pursuing Orioles All-Star shortstop Manny Machado for some time, it doesn't appear as though they will be acquiring him for the 2018 season.

The Orioles are reportedly "very close" to trading Machado to a team other than the Yankees, although the 26-year-old shortstop will represent the Orioles in Tuesday's All-Star Game, Fancred Sports' Jon Heyman reports.

The Dodgers, Brewers, Phillies and Indians have been among the teams to show interest in Machado, who entered the All-Star break with a .315/.387/.575 batting line with 24 home runs and 65 RBIs. 

Orioles All-Star Manny Machado has been the subject of trade rumors for months. The Yankees have been among the teams rumored to be pursuing him. Machado, himself, liked an Instagram post of him in a Yankees uniform (and ones of other teams).

And on Monday, he posed for a picture with three players who could be future teammates.

Given he won't be attempting to defend his Home Run Derby crown, Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is looking to relax and take in the All-Star Game festivities in his second go around.

The 26-year-old Yankees slugger, one of the top three leading vote-getters among American League outfielders, will bat sixth and start in left field for the AL in Tuesday's All-Star Game. 

Though he said "it's been a while" since he last batted sixth -- Sept. 10, 2017, was the last time, he said he was glad he was starting for the second year a row.

Yankees ace Luis Severino wouldn't mind another ace joining him in pinstripes -- especially Jacob deGrom, who is across town with the Mets. 

"He's one of the greatest pitchers," Severino said on Monday at All-Star Game media day. "Great guy. He's awesome. ... if they trade him to the Yankees, I mean, that would be great."

The 30-year-old deGrom, who has been otherworldly for the Mets this season while posting a league-leading 1.68 ERA, has been the subject of trade rumors.

Orioles superstar Manny Machado wasn't hiding his feelings last week when it came to a potential trade to the Yankees.

Machado, who the Yankees remain in pursuit of, liked an instagram post that showed him photoshopped in a Yankees uniform.

On Monday at All-Star Game media day, Machado walked back his like...

Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres and catcher Gary Sanchez are optimistic about returning from the disabled list shortly after the All-Star break.

Torres, who was named to the American League All-Star team as a rookie but will not play in Tuesday's game, said he feels good after suffering a hip strain on July 4 and could be on track to return Monday when the Yankees begin a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

"I think I'm ready right now," Torres said, according to Newsday's Erik Boland. "I'm just waiting for more (rehab) games. If everything is all right, I'm back to play."

In 2000, Yankees legendary SS Derek Jeter was named to his third consecutive All-Star Game, and this one was one to remember. 

Jeter had a perfect performance at the plate during the game at Turner Field, going 3-for-3 with two RBI. 

CLICK BELOW TO SEE THE VIDEO

Yankees RHP Luis Severino was in the debate to start for the American League in the 2018 All-Star Game. Instead, he's coming out of the bullpen.

Red Sox LHP Chris Sale was named the starter by AL manager A.J. Hinch on Monday. This is Sale's third straight All-Star Game start as he continues to perform at the highest level.

"He is truly a special pitcher in our league," Hinch said during Monday's press conference to announe the starters. "He's truly someone who deserves this honor."

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

The Yankees - on pace to win 106 games - are on vacation with the rest of baseball. But when they come back from the All-Star break, they will have to undergo some changes.

That's an amazing statement, but the reality is if the season ended today, the Yankees would be a wild card team because the Red Sox have been that much better.

The reports that the Yankees were unwilling to trade any of their top 10 prospects in a Manny Machado deal have quickly turned false. 

New York is still in the running for Machado, and though The Post reported a top-10 prospects wouldn't be in any deal, they learned otherwise on Sunday. Another source said the Yankees are willing to deal away one of their prized youngsters, with OF Estevan Florial, RHP Albert Abreu, RHP Chance Adams, and SS/2B Thairo Estrada all on that list.

The Orioles are reportedly looking for young pitching, and the biggest hold up on a Machado-to-Yankees deal is New York's unwillingness to deal their top pitching prospect, LHP Justus Sheffield. Because of this, the Dodgers and Phillies are the strongest suitors to land MLB's biggest trade chip by the July 31 deadline. 

Brad Hand and Kirby Yates are among the San Diego Padres pitchers in which the Yankees have reportedly checked, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman, as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline nears.

The Yankees, who have been linked to Hand for over a week, have also been looking into starting pitcher Tyson Ross, according to Sherman.

The three Padres pitchers are among several names that have been brought up in rumors over the past couple of weeks. Orioles closer Zach Britton, Blue Jays LHP J.A. Happ and Angels LHPs Tyler Skaggs and Andrew Heaney have also been connected to the Yankees, who sit 4 1/2 games back of the Red Sox in the AL East at the All-Star break.

Former Yankees manager Joe Girardi is reportedly a favorite to be the next Cardinals manager after St. Louis fired Mike Matheny on Saturday, according to USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale.

Girardi, who managed the Yankees from 2008 to 2017, has been an analyst for MLB Network ever since New York announced it would not extend his contract following last year's ALCS.

After he left the Yankees, Girardi said he would like to manage again, although he reportedly did not have a comment when approached about the situation.

The Yankees played .667 baseball through their first 81 games of the season. But after going into the All-Star break having lost six of their last 14 games, they remain hungry for more.

"Ultimately we have to be better if we want to win the division and get to where we want to be, which is to win the World Series," Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner said, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch, after Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Cleveland Indians. I'm pleased with the way that we played in the first half, but I'm not pleased that we're not in first place in the division."

Since outslugging the Red Sox 11-1 in their series finale on July 1, the Yankees have gone 8-6. Boston, meanwhile, won 12 of its last 13 games heading into the All-Star break, as the Yankees moved from a first-place tie to 4 1/2 games back. The defending champion Astros, since July 1, have gone 9-4 and own the second-best record in baseball.

That said, Yankees manager Aaron Boone isn't focused on the standings in July.

Yankees prospect Justus Sheffield allowed a solo home run in 1 1/3 innings during the All-Star Futures Game on Sunday at Nationals Park.

Sheffield entered the game in the second inning in relief of Pirates prospect Mitch Keller, who started the game. Sheffield immediately allowed the home run to Seuly Matias before retiring the next three batters to face him.

In the third inning, Sheffield was replaced after allowing a one-out single to Dawel Lugo.

Masahiro Tanaka pitched well for 6 1/3 innings, but Chad Green allowed three runs in relief and the Yankees couldn't get much going on offense in a 5-2 loss to the Indians on Sunday. >> Box score

Things to know about today's game

1) Aaron Hicks and Neil Walker accounted for the only two runs of the day for the Yankees. Hicks hit an RBI single in the third inning and Walker added a solo home run in the fourth. Giancarlo Stanton had a team-high two hits on a quiet day for most of the Yankees' offense. Walker's home run was the' only extra-base hit of the game for the Yankees.

Yankees C Gary Sanchez homered and played seven innings with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a rehab game on Sunday.

Sanchez finished 1-for-3 with an RBI and two strikeouts.

Sanchez has been sidelined with a groin injury since June 24.

The Yankees have finalized their starting rotation for their Subway Series matchup against the Mets following the All-Star break.

Domingo German will get the start on Friday in the series opener against Noah Syndergaard, while Sonny Gray will oppose Steven Matz on Saturday. Masahiro Tanaka will pitch for the Yankees in the series finale. 

German limited the Mets to three runs on five hits in six innings on June 9, while Tanaka allowed one run in five innings against the Mets.

Gray has yet to face the Mets this season.

The Yankees are refusing to trade any of their 10 top prospects in exchange for Manny Machado, reports the New York Post.

Clint Frazier, Justus Sheffield, Albert Abreu, Tyler Wade, Estevan Florial, Gleyber Torres, and Miguel Andujar are reportedly among those who are off-limits. Although the Yankees are not out of the race for Machado, the Orioles have ramped up talks with the Phillies, as SNY's Andy Martino reported on Saturday. 

The Dodgers and Brewers are also among teams interested in Machado.

The Yankees and Indians will wrap up their series on Sunday afternoon at 1:10 p.m. in Cleveland.

CC Sabathia allowed a game-tying two-run double in the sixth inning, but Austin Romine scored on his own double in the seventh to give the Yankees a 5-4 victory over the Indians on Saturday night >> Box score

Things to know about tonight's game

1) Sabathia allowed four runs in 5 2/3 innings. Jose Ramirez hit a solo home run in the first and the Indians scored again in the second when Erik Gonzalez came home from third on Michael Brantley's groundout. In the sixth, Brandon Guyer hit a game-tying two-run single.

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |

With one day remaining until the All Star break, the Orioles continue to push for resolution on the Manny Machado sweepstakes as soon as possible.

The Phillies and Dodgers have moved ahead as strong suitors for the shortstop, but the Brewers and Yankees remain involved, according to major league sources.

The Yankees look to bounce back with CC Sabathia on the mound the Indians on the road at 7:15 p.m. in Cleveland.

The Yankees have been scouting Angels LHP Tyler Skaggs and LHP Andrew Heaney should Los Angeles decide to become sellers at the Trade Deadline, according to Jon Paul Morosi of MLB.com.

Expecting to be in the playoff hunt all season, injuries have led the Angels to fall to 4th in the AL West, 14 games behind the division-leading Astros. 

Given the dearth of options currently on the market, Skaggs and Heaney would interest the Yankees should either become available. Angels GM Billy Epler used to work for the Yankees, suggesting a relationship with Brian Cashman and the rest of the front office...

The Yankees almost battled back from a four-run deficit, but they came up short in a 6-5 loss to the Indians on the road Friday night. >> Box score

Things to know about Thursday's game

1) This has been the story for Domingo German all season long. He has shown spurts like his last start where he can be dominant over a long stretch of a game. But then there's games like tonight, where he can't find the zone early and hits start to flurry accordingly. The Indians only collected five hits, but it resulted in six runs allowed by German due to his walks. Overall, he allowed four walks while striking out six over four innings of work. 

Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman has decided to opt out of the 2018 All-Star Game on July 17, per MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. 

The reason Chapman has pulled himself out is due to the pain he continues to feel in his left knee. The flame-throwing lefty has been dealing with tendinitis in his knee for a few weeks now, and though he is available for the Yankees in their final series before the All-Star break with the Indians, he doesn't want to push himself in a game that is only for show.

"It's an honor to be selected to an All-Star Game," Chapman said through an interpreter. "Your peers vote for you, managers, fans and all that. Any time you have an opportunity like that, you want to participate. At the end of the day, I think it was a smart decision for me to help me recover and to get ready for the second half, one that's going to be very demanding and very exciting."

Yankees 3B Miguel Andujar has been a regular in the lineup since Brandon Drury hit the DL with his migraine and blurry vision issues. He provides an above-average bat that has brought about the Rookie of the Year conversations this season. 

But could the Yankees simply be pumping up this young talent to entice other teams to trade for him by July 31? 

According to The Post's Joel Sherman, multiple MLB executives believe Andujar being the Yankees' everyday hot corner starter isn't going to last long. This claim is made based off his bad defensive stats at the position as well as his swing-happy mindset at the dish...