After a terribly disappointing 5-1 loss to the Rays on Monday, the New York Yankees found themselves in a very challenging position with mere hours left until the MLB trade deadline.
With a current record of 55-51, the team is sitting in last place in the AL East, despite being four games above .500. Even with their struggles, they are still within striking distance of a Wild Card spot, trailing by only 3.5 games.
The recent return of MVP slugger Aaron Judge adds hope, but their performance since June has been lackluster to say the least – going 21-27 during that period.
With the trade deadline quickly approaching, General Manager Brian Cashman and the front office are faced with a tough balancing act – they must decide whether to buy or sell.
If old man Steinbrenner was still around, we all know exactly what the Yankees would do. Unfortunately for Bomber fans, George’s son Hal is not cut from his father’s competitive cloth.
Regardless, the Yankees brass has to decide how aggressive they want to bolster the team for a playoff push.
According to a report by Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Yankees have been open to entertaining trade offers for their impending free agents. In other words, they could actually be taking a step backwards rather than forwards.
Despite being open to trade discussions, the Yankees don’t appear to have fully committed to becoming “sellers.” Buster Olney of ESPN reported that the team is still actively searching for outfield help, indicating they may be considering bolstering their roster.
Additionally, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post Dispatch revealed that the Yankees have expressed interest in Cardinals starter Jack Flaherty, though the timing of the inquiry remains uncertain.
It seems Cashman and his team are considering multiple moves that blur the line between buying and selling. Some of their impending free agents have had underwhelming seasons, which may impact the level of interest they receive on the trade market.
Players like Frankie Montas and Josh Donaldson are unlikely to be moved due to injuries and high salaries.
Among the players who could attract interest from other teams is Harrison Bader. Despite dealing with injury issues, Bader is a solid, well-rounded player at the plate, on the bases and certainly in the outfield where he excels as an elite center fielder.
His relatively affordable $4.7 million salary makes him an appealing trade target in a market light on position player talent.
Left-hander Wandy Peralta presents a straightforward option for teams seeking relief depth. Peralta has been dominant against same-handed hitters, holding them to an impressive .091/.242/.091 batting line in 67 plate appearances.
He has a solid 2.29 ERA in 37 1/3 innings overall, despite subpar strikeout and walk numbers. Peralta’s elite ground ball rate and 96 MPH sinker make him an attractive option for teams in need of bullpen help. He is currently making $3.35 million in his final arbitration season.
On the other hand, players like Luis Severino and Isiah Kiner-Falefa might have limited appeal to potential trade partners. Severino is struggling this season with a 7.49 ERA across 12 starts, and his strikeout rates have significantly declined. With a high salary of $15 million, he may be challenging to move.
Meanwhile, Kiner-Falefa’s situation is unclear, and there is no indication that the Yankees are looking to part ways with him.
While players like Gleyber Torres and Clay Holmes could attract interest from other clubs, the Yankees may not be inclined to entertain offers for players they can control beyond this season.
Both Torres and Holmes are eligible for arbitration once more, and the Yankees likely view them as part of their future plans.
As the trade deadline rapidly approaches, the Yankees find themselves at a crossroads. With the team hovering around .500 and facing ultra-stiff competition in the AL East, the decisions made by Cashman in the coming hours could significantly shape the team’s trajectory for the remainder of the season and beyond.
What do you think the Yankees should do?