Major League Baseball’s trade deadline is less than a week away. Many teams are still unsure about their status as buyers or sellers. But the 60-46, championship-hopeful Yankees are looking to add pieces at the deadline.
New York’s pitching has been its strength since returning from the All-Star break. The return of Max Fried will help, and fellow left-hander Carlos Rodon is expected to join the rotation in the near future.
Once again, though, the return of one player has meant another player has been added to the injured list.
This time it’s Cody Bellinger.
The All-Star game MVP is expected to miss four to six weeks with a hamstring injury he suffered against the Phillies last Saturday while legging out a double. He had missed just two games this season prior.
Bellinger’s stint on the injured list comes while Aaron Judge’s injured right rib slowly heals, adding another variable for the Yankees front office to consider.
New York’s offense has not looked like its early-season form in over a month. An injury to another outfielder might force the team to add another impact hitter at the deadline to bolster the lineup and take pressure off the pitching staff.
MLB insider Jon Heyman reported Sunday that the Yankees “may seek a righty-hitting OF but seem leery about Luis Robert Jr. after his injury troubles. Some other possibilities: Lane Thomas, Spencer Steer, Jo Adell, Jorge Soler, George Springer.”
All six of those names play for teams significantly out of the playoff picture and might not have a high asking price. Adell, Soler, Robert, and Springer are having down seasons but have shown promise in the past. That could be enough for the Yankees to pull the trigger.
Rumors have also linked the Yankees to looking to upgrade at catcher — specifically to help on offense. Regular starter Austin Wells has struggled all season. He’s batting just .165 with a .267 on-base percentage, seven home runs, and 14 RBIs.
Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman is tied for third in MLB with 31 home runs and is viewed as a “long shot” due to a high asking price.
More realistic options include 29-year-old Ryan Jeffers from the Twins and the Reds’ Tyler Stephenson. Jeffers has been on fire in 46 games this season, hitting .293 with nine home runs, 35 RBIs, and a career high.930 OPS.
Stephenson’s numbers aren’t as eye-popping, but he has played significantly more games. He’s batting .244 with eight home runs, 28 RBIs, and a .712 OPS.
The Nationals are willing to listen to offers about All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams, according to The Athletic. The Yankees have already “checked in on” him and would have to include their premium prospects, like George Lombard Jr., in a deal.
The rumors don’t end there.
MLB insider Joel Sherman says the ideal scenario for New York is for Padres closer Mason Miller to become available and have that as their “Plan A.” The Yankees currently have the best bullpen ERA in baseball at 3.04 with an established closer in David Bednar. They could benefit most by adding more offense.
Sherman added Monday that the Yankees should check in on Marlins infielders Otto Lopez and Xavier Edwards amid their team’s struggles. Neither is likely, but New York needs to try for reinforcements with injuries to its biggest bats.
This weeklong Chicago road trip to face the Cubs and White Sox could shape the Yankees’ approach to the trade deadline.
Monday’s 9-5 win over the White Sox was an encouraging sign. If the Yankees continue to play as they did in the series opener, it could give the front office confidence to stand pat, even if adding would benefit the roster. But if Monday night’s win proves to be an outlier, it may convince the front office to be more aggressive.
The Yankees still have a few days to shape their plans. New York’s performance during the rest of the road trip will influence General manager Brian Cashman’s views about the roster’s contention status.
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