29-year old switch hitting RF Nick Swisher is having his best season of his major league career in 2010. He has played in 89 games for the Yankees this year and he is 104 of 343 (.303 avg, .914 OPS) with 61 runs scored, 17 homers and 56 RBIs. Swisher is getting on base so much this year that he is batting 2nd in the batting order between Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira which ensures that he will continue to get good pitches to hit. Swisher is likely to set new career highs in runs scored (106), RBIs (95), batting average (.262) and OPS (.869) in 2010 for the Yankees. His career high in homers is 35 and he might be able to beat that number too in 2010.

The Yankees have recalled 27-year old righty reliever Jonathan Albaladejo to replace Andy Pettitte on the pitching staff as he was placed on the D.L. Albaladejo has been outstanding in the minors this year for the Yankees. He has pitched in 41 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball this year and he is 2-1 with 31 saves, a 0.96 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP. He only gave up 25 hits while whiffing 61 batters in 46 2/3 innings in the minors. He has pitched in 39 games (0 starts) in two years with the Yankees and he is 5-2 with a 4.88 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP. With no set up man stepping up for the Yankees, they might give Albaladejo a chance to pitch late in games if he gets off to a good start.

With the Rays and Red Sox hanging around in the division I would go for the kill shot if I were the GM of the Yankees. I would throw caution to the wind and make two trades in typical Yankees’ fashion ransacking the minors to help the major league team. First off I would call the Milwaukee Brewers up and offer them a nice package of catcher Jesus Montero, 2B/3B David Adams, 1B Juan Miranda and righty starting pitcher Zach McAllister and Ivan Nova for 1B/DH Prince Fielder, IF Craig Counsell and righty starting pitcher Dave Bush. Fielder would be the starting DH putting up monster numbers aiming at the RF porch in Yankees’ Stadium. Counsell would fill a utility role in the infield for the Yanks and Dave Bush would replace Andy Pettitte until he comes back. Then I would get on the phone and call the Marlins up. I would offer them something along the lines of righty reliever Mark Melancon, outfielder Colin Curtis and infielder Ramiro Pena for righty relievers Leo Nunez and Brian Sanches. If the Yankees made those two moves they would put immense pressure on the other teams in the A.L. East.

29-year old lefty reliever Royce Ring is looking good in AAA for the Yankees this year. He has pitched in 33 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball so far this season and he is 2-0 with 1 save, a 1.52 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. Ring has whiffed 26 batters while only allowing 23 hits in 29 2/3 innings this season which is pretty darn good. Ring has walked 9 guys this year as his control appears to be improving and that’s a good sign as his control has been a big negative issue in his past. Ring will be the next lefty reliever called up if the Yankees need one.

The Yankees will be without veteran lefty starter Andy Pettitte for the next 4-5 weeks due a severe groin injury he suffered in his start earlier today against the Rays. Pettitte has pitched in 18 games (all starts) for the Yankees this year and he is 11-2 with a 2.88 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. The Yankees have 29-year old righty Sergio Mitre penciled in to come off the D.L. to replace Pettitte in the starting rotation. Mitre has pitched in 12 games (2 starts) for the Yankees this year and he is 0-1 with a 2.88 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. I fully expect the Yankees to make a trade for a starting pitcher as I don’t think they can trust Mitre.