After an injury-plagued 2013 in which they missed the postseason, the New York Yankees entered 2014 with high expectations. Solid new hitters Brian McCann, Brian Roberts, and Jacoby Ellsbury and Japanese pitching sensation Masahiro Tanaka gave the Yankees new hopes for returning to the playoffs in 2014.

Those hopes, though, faded soon after the season started. The Yankees' starting rotation suffered blow after blow beginning in late April, resulting in four of their five expected season-long starters to hit the disabled list for most of the season.

First, Ivan Nova underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery on April 29 after making only four starts. Just a few days earlier, Michael Pineda threw his last pitch before needing shoulder surgery. Pineda, though, could return in late August in time for the playoff push. Then, CC Sabathia went down for the season in May with inflammation in his right knee. He will have surgery on July 23, ensuring that he will not return this year. 

Finally, on July 9, the Yankees lost perhaps the American League's best pitcher in Tanaka (12-4, 2.51 ERA), who has a partially-torn UCL. At this point, he will rehab and could return before the season ends, but that return is not promised.

Only Hiroki Kuroda remains from Opening Day. Kuroda is pitching well (6-6, 3.88), but with the Yankees near the bottom of the A.L. in runs scored, he needs help. Brandon McCarthy has pitched great in two starts since joining the Yankees, but the rotation is still far short of the quality pitching they will need in the playoff race and in the postseason should they make it.

The Philadelphia Phillies may have exactly what the Yankees need in ace Cliff Lee. With the Phillies going nowhere, the time has come for them to disband and move salary. Lee started the season poorly, but he has an overall record of 4-5 with a 3.67 ERA through July 21. He is fresh off the 60-day disabled list due to forearm strain, and his first start on July 21 did not go well. He allowed six runs in 5.2 innings in taking the loss. Still, he is among the most-wanted pitchers available.

Lee's biggest asset is control; he has walked only 10 hitters in 73.2 innings, and he would fit well in a rotation that has allowed the fewest walks in the American League. He also pitches deep into games, and with the strong bullpen the Yankees have, seven innings each time out would give the Yankees a very good chance to win almost every start he makes.

Lee could give the Yankees a huge lift for the postseason as well as the pennant race. He has a postseason record of 7-3 with a 2.52 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 11 games since 2009.

Lee's contract could keep other teams from trading prospects for the 35-year-old, who is making $25 million this year and will again next year. The Yankees are one of the few teams who can pay it. They could also pay 2016's vesting option, which guarantees Lee $27 million if he pitches either 200 innings in 2015 or 400 innings in 2014 and 2015 combined. After his two-month layoff this year, the 400 innings will not happen, but the 200 innings in 2015 could.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is a "win now" man, and he will not give up on this season. He needs offense, and he just got some by acquiring Chase Headley from San Diego. However, he also needs pitching. If he has a chance to acquire one the premiere left-handers in the Majors, then he should do his best to land him. Cliff Lee is that left-hander, and he can provide just what the Yankees need in a true ace  late in a tough pennant race.