Report: Yankees interested in Blue Jays LHP J.A. Happ

  As the New York Yankees approach the July trade deadline, it's no secret the team is interested in acquiring a starting pitcher. Even though Madison Bumgarner, Patrick Corbin, and Noah Syndergaard are floating around as potential trade candidates, the Yankees are looking within the division for a potential top-notch starter. According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com, the Yankees are interested in Blue Jays lefty J.A. Happ. However, the Seattle Mariners are also vying to trade for the left-hander. But why are the Yankees interested in trading within the division? The answer circles back to the Boston Red Sox. While the Red Sox have a MLB-best .813 OPS against right-handers, they have a .672 OPS against lefties.

#Yankees and #Mariners both interested in #BlueJays LHP J.A. Happ, source said, and here is one reason why: The AL rival #RedSox have an @MLB-best .813 OPS against RHP but only .672 against LHP. @MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) June 18, 2018

Happ is 8-3 with a 3.48 ERA in 14 starts this season for the Blue Jays. Toronto is 15 games back of the Yankees and Red Sox for the AL East division lead, and it's unlikely the Blue Jays will compete for an AL East crown in the near future. The Yankees are currently having rotation woes of their own with Jordan Montgomery out for the season and Masahiro Tanaka on the DL with mild strains in both his hamstrings. So there's a possibility Happ could fill a gaping role in the starting rotation.