With the MLB trade deadline just one week away and the Home Run Derby in the books, the New York Yankees are hoping to add some much-needed depth to their pitching staff. While several rumors have been and are still out there, including interest in Michael Fulmer, the latest news has the Bombers finishing a deal to bolster their bullpen - just in time for a postseason run.

Britton on the way

According to an MLB.com report, New York emerged as the front-runner to acquire Baltimore closer Zach Britton late Tuesday evening (July 24). While no terms have been disclosed, MLB insider Jon Heyman has indicated that the deal in principle has been agreed to.

This move arguably gives the Yankees the best bullpen in the game today.

Now the big question, is who will the Yankees depart with? Highly-touted prospect Dillon Tate, who was scratched from his Double-A start on Tuesday, may be part of the package going to Baltimore. The Yankees acquired Tate in a deal with the Texas Rangers for Carlos Beltran back in 2016. Brandon Drury is not expected to be part of the deal to land the 30-year-old Britton, according to many MLB sources, however, time will tell.

Fulmer, Castellanos staying put?

The Yankees and Tigers have been rumored to be striking a deal that would include pitcher Michael Fulmer for several months now, with the latest suggesting a possible blockbuster deal that would include Fulmer and slugger Nick Castellanos.

It appears, now, that a possible deal is not happening. The Sporting News, via The Athletic, is indicating that Detroit will not move starting pitcher Michael Fulmer while he's on the disabled list, and outfielder Nicholas Castellanos is also likely to stay unless a team overpays. This is actually good news for Tigers fans in many ways.

New Manager, Ron Gardenhire, knew that this season would be rough, and in many ways, it has been. The silver lining, though, is that Fulmer and Castellanos, along with several other youngsters, like Niko Goodrum, Jeimer Candelario, and Jacoby Jones, are making up a nucleus that Gardy could quickly mold into a winning team in a year or two.

As the Sporting News reported, Fulmer has drawn the interest of several contenders, including the Yankees, but his recent stint on the DL may have nixed any foreseeable deal in 2018. Even though the righty is struggling at the moment, he has plenty of upsides to his game. Not to mention the young flamethrower has a very friendly long-term contract. Fulmer is making just under $600,000 this season, and Detroit has him locked up until 2022.
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