Yankees @ Halfway Point

YANKEES (44 - 38 3rd place AL East)

It has been a roller coaster first half for the Yankees. In a season where they were expected to struggle because they were relying on the young arms of Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes, as well as the aging arms of Mike Mussina and Andy Pettite; no one knew what to expect from this year's team.

Yet, the Yankees have proven why they are the Yankees. Even though they are in thrid place, and five back of the surging Tampa Bay Rays, the Bombers are 44-38 and are in a good position to compete for both the wild card and the division.

This means that the Yankees have to make a decision, will they let go of some of their top prospects to get big time pitchers in here to get them over the top?

In the winter, the Yankees refused to trade, Hughes, Kennedy and Melky Cabrera to Minnesota for Johan Santana. However, now is a different story. Even though he has pitched well as a starter, Joba Chamberlin belongs in the bullpen, where he is most effective; the loss of Chen Ming Wang for the season is crippling and it puts tremendous pressure on Pettite and Mussina. The Yankees are lucky that both veteran pitchers have pitched well, or they could be in bigger trouble.

If the Yankees can get a decent starter like a Eric Bedard or C.C. Sabathia, or even an Aaron Harang, the Yankees should seriously consider trading Hughes or Kennedy. That is if they can stay close to Boston and Tampa.

Offensively, the Yankees will score runs, but have concerns in the outfield. Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui are both finished, and will need to be replaced in the off-season. Plus Melky Cabrera seems to overacheive in center field. But filling out the problems in left and center field, as well as first base are concerns for November and December.

Right now, the Yankees have to decide what they are going to do this year...win a championship or play your cards right for a run in 2009 and 2010 and definately 2011. The decision is their's to make - and it will affect 2008 and beyond.