The New York Yankees look to beef up infield bats before the trade deadline
The Bronx Bombers are immersed in a slide of bad results, with 12 losses in their last 17 games
When you talk about the New York Yankees, everything is magnified. If the team from the Big Apple has even a small winning streak, fans start to make plans for the World Series. Conversely, if the team has a few losses, social networks are filled with thousands of messages calling for the dismissal of manager Aaron Boone or even general manager Brian Cashman. This has been the case since the very beginning of the league and so it will continue as long as baseball is around. Love them or hate them, the Yankees are the most important organization in Major League Baseball, and each of their games is of national and international interest.
With 12 losses in their last 17 games, many forget that the Yankees still have the third best record (54-33) in MLB and are in an extremely tight pennant race with the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East. However, to stay on track for October, they will almost certainly need to make a few trades to beef up their batting order.
With Giancarlo Stanton back on the injured list, in the Bronx Bombers lineup only Aaron Judge (213 OPS+) and Juan Soto (182 OPS+) are producing above the Major League average.
According to former general manager Jim Bowden, the Yankees are considering several positions as the July 30 trade deadline approaches.
“I’m told the Yankees front office is exploring the trade market to see what hitters might be available, and are looking in particular at first, second and third base to upgrade or get better platoon-type options,” Bowden wrote in The Athletic.
According to some analysts, the Yankees would be opting to keep rookie Ben Rice at first base while Anthony Rizzo recovers. Rice (104 OPS+) has proven to have a good bat. However, second and third base are priorities for the pinstripes.
Players to consider
- Alex Bregman (3B): It is true that the Houston Astros are in full recovery after a dire start to the season, and their star at the hot corner has been lit in recent weeks, but the Yankees could be interested in the Astros third baseman. Joel Sherman of the New York Post argues that the Yankees have an obvious need. DJ LeMahieu has not been the reliable bat of yesteryear and Bregman could be induced to jump ship, since he is about to become a free agent and the Astros have shown no interest in extending his contract.
- Cody Bellinger (1B): We already mentioned that rookie Ben Rice’s bat has been well received in the Bronx, but his natural position is catcher, and if injury puts a squeeze at the backstop position, that could leave first base vacant. Bellinger is playing outfield for the Chicago Cubs but he was brought up as a first baseman.
- Ryan McMahon (3B): The Rockies are just trying to not finish the season with the worst record in MLB. The Yankees have already set their sights on McMahon, a 29-year-old third baseman under contract through 2027. McMahon is a left-handed hitter who could be a big help at Yankee Stadium, and the Yankees could land him by offering Colorado several high-profile prospects.