The Yankees have given up 10.4 runs, on average, over their past seven games. The lone positive of that humbling stretch, from the Yankees’ perspective: There’s no ambiguity about the team’s need to acquire a starting pitcher before Wednesday’s Trade Deadline. • Watch MLB Network for around-the-clock Trade Deadline coverage

The Yankees have given up 10.4 runs, on average, over their past seven games.

The lone positive of that humbling stretch, from the Yankees’ perspective: There’s no ambiguity about the team’s need to acquire a starting pitcher before Wednesday’s Trade Deadline.

• Watch MLB Network for around-the-clock Trade Deadline coverage

The Yankees have remained in regular contact with the Blue Jays about right-hander Marcus Stroman , one source said this weekend. So far, it’s believed that Toronto’s asking price has included right-hander Deivi Garcia, the Yankees’ No. 1 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com.

The Yankees hope to upgrade their rotation without parting with Garcia, but the rotation’s recent skid could hurt the negotiating leverage of general manager Brian Cashman.

The performance this season of the Yankees’ No. 2 prospect, outfielder Estevan Florial, is another complication for the Yankees. The 21-year-old has a .647 OPS at Class A Tampa this year, and some in the industry believe his value has fallen since the offseason.

In other words, it’s becoming less likely that the Blue Jays would be comfortable with Florial, rather than Garcia, as the headliner in a Stroman deal.

The Padres and Twins also are known to have interest in Stroman, sources say, and MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal reported on Saturday that the Astros were pushing to acquire Stroman, too. Rosenthal also reported that a concept has been under discussion whereby the Mets would trade Noah Syndergaard to the Padres and package some (but not all) of the return in a deal with Toronto to acquire Stroman.

While the fourth-place Padres aren’t buyers in the traditional sense, general manager A.J. Preller believes the team can compete for a playoff berth next season and is trying to acquire players (like Stroman) who are under control for 2020.

San Diego’s farm system is deep enough that the Padres could probably acquire Stroman without giving up their No. 1 prospect, left-hander MacKenzie Gore. The names of other top Padres prospects -- such as infielder Luis Urias and left-handers Adrian Morejon and Logan Allen -- have surfaced in dialogue between the teams, one source said Saturday.