The New York Yankees have been quiet in the offseason and spring training, failing to add a single marquee free agent who wasn’t on the team last year. With Opening Day 2022 quickly approaching, general manager Brian Cashman is running out of ways to improve the roster for a possible World Series run.

The Yankees did make a notable trade, sending catcher Gary Sanchez and infielder Gio Urshela to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for third baseman Josh Donaldson, shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and catcher Ben Rortvedt. The latest rumors suggest that New York is eyeing another deal, one that would upgrade the starting rotation.

Cashman and the Yankees have interest in Oakland Athletics starting pitchers Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman. The A’s are sellers and in the process of acquiring prospects for their best players. Oakland has already traded pitcher Chris Bassitt, first baseman Matt Olson and third baseman Matt Chapman since the conclusion of the lockout.

Montas and Manaea were Oakland’s top starters in 2021. Either player could immediately be the Yankees’ No. 2 starter. New York’s rotation is filled with question marks behind ace Gerrit Cole.

Montas is coming off a career year. The 28-year old finished sixth in the 2021 AL Cy Young voting. In 187.0 innings, Montas had 207 strikeouts with a 3.37 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP.

In six MLB seasons, Montas has a 3.86 ERA.

Manaea tied Montas with a league-high 32 starts last season. The 30-year-old had 194 strikeouts in 179.1 innings to go along with a 3.91 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. Manaea has a career 3.86 ERA since making his debut in 2016.

Other teams have checked in on Montas and Manaea. The Yankees have been reluctant to trade their best prospects this offseason.

There were rumors early in the offseason that the Yankees might sign one of the several All-Star-caliber shortstops available. Corey Seager went to the Texas Rangers, while Carlos Correa signed a three-year contract with the Minnesota Twins. Trevor Story inked a contract with the rival Boston Red Sox.

The Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays have made major additions in the offseason. The Tampa Bay Rays won the AL East with 100 wins a season ago. An argument can be made that the Yankees are the fourth-best team in the division.

All of the high-profile free agents have found a home for the 2022 season. Outfielder Michael Conforto is among the best players left on the market. New York isn't considered to be a suitor for Conforto.

The Yankees re-signed Anthony Rizzo, whom New York acquired at the 2021 trade deadline. New York also added infielder Marwin Gonzalez on a minor-league deal.

The Yankees traded Luke Voit to the San Diego Padres for a pitching prospect that might not be ready to play in the majors for a few years.

New York had a frustrating finish to its 2021 campaign, losing to Boston in the AL Wild-Card Game. The Yankees’ World Series drought is up to 13 years.

Brian Cashman New York Yankees
Senior Vice President, General Manager Brian Cashman speaks to the media prior to introducing Aaron Boone as New York Yankee manager at Yankee Stadium on December 6, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Mike Stobe/Getty Images
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