The Captain has spoken. Is New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman listening?
During a recent press conference to discuss the team’s approach at the trade deadline, Cashman admitted that the Yankees need help in multiple areas. Acknowledging the team’s recent shortcomings, which have allowed Toronto to take first place in the American League East while Boston has closed the gap, Cashman candidly stated that he planned to aggressively seek reinforcements.
“We’re going to town,” Cashman said. “We’re going to do everything we possibly can to improve ourselves and try to match up, and hopefully at the end of it all, we’ll have whatever is here on this current roster remaining healthy, and we’ll add to it and be proud of that and take our shot.”
Derek Jeter Expects Yankees GM Brian Cashman to Follow Through on Trade Deadline Goals
During coverage of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday, Derek Jeter, asked to predict who would win the World Series this October, said he was taking the Yankees to beat the Chicago Cubs. But there was a caveat.
“Cashman basically said he’s all-in,” Jeter said, “so I expect the Yankees to do something at the trade deadline.”
Talk about a not-so-subtle hint. Do what needs to be done, Cashman, or you will have some ‘splaining to do.
And make no mistake, there is plenty that needs to be done. In a Friday report for ESPN summarizing the latest intel from around the league with the July 31 trade deadline looming, Jorge Castillo noted that while Cashman vowed to make things happen, the team’s list of needs is long, including pitchers in the rotation and the bullpen, as well as a productive bat on the infield, preferably at third base.
“Checking off all those boxes will not be simple,” Castillo wrote, “but Cashman appears willing to operate aggressively to tangibly bolster the roster and give the Yankees a real shot to return to the World Series — and not waste another magnificent Aaron Judge season. That could mean making everyone in the farm system besides top prospect George Lombard Jr. available.”
AL Scout Agrees Yankees ‘Need a Lot’ to Reach Goal of World Series Championship
With the second half of the MLB season set to begin, NJ Advance Media noted the Yankees’ laundry list of needs in publishing a Q&A with an American League scout who is familiar with the Yankees system. Granted anonymity so he could speak freely, the scout stressed how busy Cashman will have to be if he indeed plans to make the roster good enough to win the World Series.
“Wow. I feel they need a lot,” the scout said.
Particularly in the bullpen.
“Gosh, guys have been dropping like flies and the healthy bullpen arms have been inconsistent,” the scout said.There’s been a lot of talk about Devin Williams not being a fit for New York, but he’s been a lot better the last couple months, and it’s still been a struggle for the bullpen. I still like Luke Weaver, who had a bad stretch recently. I still like Williams when it’s strike one with the fastball. When he does that, you’re getting the Airbender changeup. But Williams, more this year more than past ones, loses command of his fastball, and he’s screwed when that happens because teams lay off his changeup.”
But there is a move, he added, that Cashman could make: trade right-handed pitcher Ben Hess, the team’s No. 3 prospect, for Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase.
“Oh my God! Clase is a game changer,” the scout said. “‘Hey, Clase, go do your Mariano Rivera thing and throw that cutter 100 mph.’ Ballgame. Think about Clase in pinstripes. You know what’s coming, and you still can’t do anything with it. If that ain’t Mariano Rivera all over again, I don’t know what is.”
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