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By Joe Giglio | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

It's that time of year, Yankees fans.

As the All-Star break approaches, the Yankees are caught between a rock and a hard place: Upgrade for a stretch run at a playoff berth, go all-in for a shot at a World Series or keep a big-time farm system in tact for a bright future.

If the Yankees do make a move—big or small—first base could be where general manager Brian Cashman uses assets for an upgrade. In fact, he's on record as admitting to looking for first base help.

With Greg Bird's mysterious injury lingering, the position is in a shambles. Even if Bird returns, a platoon could commence.

Here are 10 potentially available candidates for the Yankees to pursue between now and the July 31 MLB trade deadline.

All stats valid entering play on July 7.

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Logical choices

Here are the names you can expect to be linked to the Yankees over the next few weeks, leading up to the July 31 trade deadline.

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Lucas Duda, Mets

Stats: .249/.359/.548, 14 HR

Pros: Rental that wouldn't block Bird long term. Can handle New York after years of good play for the Mets. Power and plate discipline fits Yankees approach. Short porch in right field perfect for his swing.

Cons: Oft-injured. Not a very good defensive player.

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Yonder Alonso, Athletics

Stats: .279/.375/.567, 19 HR

Pros: Improving by the day. Left-handed swing made for Yankee Stadium. Rental.

Cons: Little track record of this kind of power. Will he fall off in second half?

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Justin Bour, Marlins

Stats: .284/.362/.549, 19 HR

Pros: One of baseball's strongest hitters. Lefty bat would break up glut of right-handed hitting power in the middle of New York's lineup. Under team control through 2020.

Cons: If the Marlins are selling a cost-controlled slugger, the price tag will be high.

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Smaller upgrades

Cashman can upgrade without giving up the farm by pursuing these sluggers.

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John Jaso, Pirates

Stats: .249/.325/.457, 7 HR

Pros: Could come at the cheapest price of anyone on this list. Versatile enough to play either corner outfield position. Former catcher. Great eye at the plate.

Cons: Brings little power to the position.

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Tommy Joseph, Phillies

Stats: .246/.302/.449, 14 HR

Pros: Potential platoon partner for Bird. Legitimate 30-homer power.

Cons: Brings little to the table outside of power. Streaky hitter that could reel off an awful month or lead the team in homers for six weeks.

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Buy low for former All-Star pitcher?

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Matt Adams, Braves

Stats: .285/.332/.536, 13 HR

Pros: Likely available with the rebuilding Braves shifting Freddie Freeman over to third base for the time being. Couldn't cost nearly as much as bigger names on this list. Left-handed swing made for the Bronx. Playoff experience with Cardinals.

Cons: Poor defensive player. Lacked consistency through big league career.

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Bigger names with track records

If the Yankees want a sure thing, these names would bring that to the Bronx.

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Jose Abreu, White Sox

Stats: .293/.342/.513, 16 HR

Pros: One of baseball's best hitters since arriving from Cuba. Line drive hitter with consistent numbers.

Cons: Making $10.8M in first year of arbitration. He's about to get very expensive, very fast. Better suited to DH because of below-average glove.

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Joe Mauer, Twins

Stats: .286/.360/.402, 5 HR

Pros: Finally healthy at first base after years of concussion issues behind the plate. Could see an uptick in power away from Target Field. On base machine that could be used at the top of New York's lineup. Long-term contract set to run out after 2018.

Cons: Owed $23M in 2018, potentially limiting how Yankees spend during the offseason.

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Brandon Belt, Giants

Stats: .236/.345/.463, 16 HR

Pros: Underrated hitter. On pace for a career high in home runs despite playing in one of baseball's most cavernous parks. Walk machine.

Cons: Battling bad luck this year on balls in play. Could cost big prospects in order to get Giants to punt on a core piece of a potential rebound team in 2018. Long-term deal through 2021 would likely take Bird out of the long-term picture.

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Franchise-changing player

Dealing for this star would be risky, but could transform the Yankees into baseball’s best lineup.

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Joey Votto, Reds

Stats: .316/.429/.622, 24 HR

Pros: One of baseball's best players—period. The perpetually underrated Votto is forging a Hall of Fame career. Brings power and baseball's best plate discipline to the dish. Would transform New York's lineup. Votto, Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez would be the most dangerous trio in the sport.

Cons: That contract. Votto is in the midst of a 10-year, $225M deal that carries through the 2023 season. When the 2018 season begins, the deal will have six years and $157M guaranteed left. It's actually a fair contract for a player this good, but Votto's age (33) and future Yankees luxury tax limits would likely play a role here.

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Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.