How to Improve the Yankees Offense

If being down 4-0 in the first inning with David Phelps at 30 pitches doesn't give you incentive to write about how to improve the Yankees pitiful offense, I do not know what does. Seriously, what does? Any suggestions? There's a lot of fixing needed here. Brett Gardner and Robinson Cano have done a damn fine job considering how pathetic this offense has been. So, let's give this a shot, shall we?

UPDATE: Down 9-0 in 3. You can't win if your SP does that.

Catcher - Acquire Jonathan Lucroy from the Brewers for C Gary Sanchez, OF Slade Heathcott, P Brett Marshall

If you know me, I am not a Chris Stewart fan. He's had 4, count them, 4 extra base hits this year. Francisco Cervelli had 6 in 17 games. He should not be starting daily. Enter a legitimate Top 10 MLB catcher who hits and leading an MLB team in RBI: Milwaukee's Jonathan Lucroy. Tops on the Brew Crew with 42 RBI, hardly strikes out and has pop. He won't be easy to get, but with the Brewers desperate for pitching and/or young prospects in a bare farm system, he could be had, in my opinion for the right price. Doug Melvin will ask and the Yankees should oblige: they have catchers in the system, and OF's. Giving up the top prospect and a top 5 in Sanchez and Heathcott is a lot, but 27 year old catchers who hit and with team friendly contracts don't come around often.

Shortstop - Acquire Danny Espinosa from the Nationals for Phil Hughes

Espinosa strikes out....a lot. And he demoted to AAA for a rookie (albeit a really good in Anthony Rendon). But, he's a legit SS who can be a 20/20 player. He's also a switch hitter. He's got much more offensive talent  than Jayson Nix, and could replace him as the UTIL IF once Derek Jeter is back. Hughes is in the Yankees' doghouse as much as Espinosa's in the Nats', who need some SP depth. This makes sense for both teams.

Corner Infield - Acquire Michael Young from the Phillies for Ichiro Suzuki and Austin Romine

I'm being a little creative, here. I think you can substitute OF Ramon Flores for Ichiro to make it more legitimate. But, if the Phillies are going to sell, C Carlos Ruiz can very well be a on a new team, and I think they'll want a young C in return. The Yankees clearly don't believe in Romine and with Lucroy on board and JR Murphy in AAA, they don't need him. I also believe the Phils want to upgrade an OF spot to go with Dom Brown and Ben Revere. Young can play, though not too well, 1B/3B.

Post Trade (and Injury returns, so figure late July, August 1st Lineup) : 

CF Brett Gardner
DH Derek Jeter
2B Robinson Cano
LF Curtis Granderson
3B Alex Rodriguez
C   Jonathan Lucroy
1B Michael Young
RF Zoilo Almonte
SS Danny Espinosa

Much better. Never going to happen, but GM Justin is here to help. Let's chat this up on Twitter, shall we? Hit me @JMFlorio