The New York Yankees should be in buyer mode ahead of the MLB trade deadline, at least if you ask their fans. These wishlist players could be sent elsewhere.
At last place in the AL East ahead of the August 1st trade deadline, there may be a real debate as to whether or not the New York Yankees should be buyers at the MLB trade deadline on August 1st. The Yankees, year-in and year-out, are expected to compete. They're a "winning" franchise, we're told.
This year has been anything but, as their position in the standings should make abundantly clear. New York is 2-8 in its last 10. With limited time to make up ground, adding talent, especially expiring contracts, might mortgage the future since New York would presumably have to give up coveted players in its farm system pipeline.
FanGraphs gives the Yankees a 28% chance of making the postseason.
But fans, of course, don't want Brian Cashman to hold back. They want to see this team keep pressing on until they are mathematically eliminated. So the expectation, still, is to keep adding.
Baltimore Orioles are one of few teams who could get a monster deal done for Shohei Ohtani
A total mic drop moment could happen this trade deadline if Shohei Ohtani truly is up for bidding. While my earnest belief is that the Angels are merely opening up to hear if they can get a white whale of a trade offer for the generational two-way superstar, and that he'll remain in Anaheim the rest of this year, Ohtani on the move is a discussion that's happening.
If he does get traded, it will need to be a monstrosity of a deal. Convincing the Angels to risk becoming the team forever known as the franchise that traded away one of the best baseball players of all time is going to require a hefty price tag.
The Baltimore Orioles are one of the few teams who could pay that price.
CBS Sports recently ranked all teams based on how well-positioned each team is for an Ohtani deal. The Orioles ranked second because, "Between MLB and Triple-A, the Orioles have more high-end infielders than roster spots."
That said, the Orioles future is bright because of the pipeline they've built up. Ohtani would be fun for a few months, but it's not worth selling the whole future on. Not to mention, they currently lead the AL East even without Ohtani. No doubt they would be better with him, but that doesn't mean they need him.
The Yankees want Ohtani, in free agency or a trade. Perhaps fairer to say that every team wants Ohtani, and the Yankees are in that mix along with 29 others.
It's hard to see the Yankees leap-frogging the Orioles in this order, but ultimately, the most likely outcome on this front is Ohtani staying put until he hits free agency this winter.
Jordan Montgomery could find his way to Orioles at the trade deadline
I truly think that the Yankees should reunite with Jordan Montgomery at this year's trade deadline. While as of late the offense has been the principal issue in the Bronx, one has to assume that when Aaron Judge returns to the lineup, all bets are off and bats will start making contact.
It's hard to express exactly why, but the guy just has a tendency to lift everyone around him on the offensive side of things.
Assuming the offense figures itself out, the next most-likely issue to cause a catastrophic implosion is the starting pitching. The starting staff is filled with recognizable names and plenty of talent, but it's also been a year defined by boom or bust for the starters.
Domingo German had earned eight and seven runs in his two starts prior to throwing a perfect game.
Nestor Cortes's ERA has gone up by 2.72 compared to last year, his WHIP has gone up 0.376.
Luis Severino has lost it completely.
We really trust this starting staff? I don't think so.
Montgomery knows the team well — New York traded him to St. Louis last year to receive Harrison Bader — and has proven he can be a reliable starter under the pressure of the pinstripes already. Yankees fans hated seeing him go, and getting him back in his contract season would be a strong addition to the starting rotation as the postseason draws near and the Yankees claw away at a hopeful Wild Card spot.
Unfortunately, the Orioles might pop in and snatch him up instead. Recent rumors suggest the Yankees might prefer John Flaherty from the Cardinals staff.
That's the wrong guy, in my honest opinion. Get Monty back to the Bronx.
Cody Bellinger could be snagged by the Boston Red Sox
Cody Bellinger is the most obvious move the Yankees have to do everything in their power to try to make happen.
The former MVP whose reputation tumbled to the basement has completely reinvented himself with the Chicago Cubs this year. He's hitting well and playing good defense, and his one-year deal signed this winter makes him a perfect trade candidate. The Cubs can sell high on a smart investment before they see him possibly walk for nothing.
The Yankees, obviously, need another bat, and they need a left fielder as well. Bellinger's natural spot is center, but slide him or Harrison Bader over to left, and you should be good to go.
So, which rival could spoil this one? The hated Red Sox might find themselves pulling a move for Bellinger. Fitting for him to move from calling the second-oldest ballpark in MLB home to the very oldest, yeah?
The fit for the Boston Red Sox is a little bit better for Bellinger on the defensive side, as was discussed in our rumor roundup on Thursday. That could certainly mean the Sox are more motivated to get Bellinger than the Yankees. Both teams are holding down the basement of the division, so it's also not that far-fetched that we could see August 1 come and go with Bellinger on neither team.
