The New York Yankee’s strong start, that saw them seven games ahead in the American League East as late as May 28, looks like mostly an illusion now. The hot bat of two-time AL MVP Aaron Judge, who hit 21 home runs in April and May with OPS figures well over 1.200 both months, papered over a lot of deeper problems in the Yankees roster.
For the starting rotation, injuries have just kept rolling in. Before the season even started, New York lost ace and 2023 Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole to Tommy John surgery. Then just last week, they also lost mid-rotation starter and former first-round draft pick Clarke Schmidt, also to Tommy John.
Last year’s Rookie of the Year, Luis Gil, has yet to pitch at all with a severe lat muscle strain. New York hopes to get Gil back on the hill sometime after the All-Star break, but no date has been announced yet.
Injury Bug Bites Yankees Ace
The savior of the Yankees rotation so far has been their record-setting free agent signing Max Fried. Through a league-leading 20 starts, Fried has proven himself a top Cy Young candidate. The lefty posted a 2.43 ERA with an AL-best 11 pitcher wins.
But in his final outing before the break, the injury bug caught up to Fried as well, as he developed painful blister on the index finger of his pitching hand. No date has been set for when he will pitch next.
The Yankees will need to address the rotation, as well as the seemingly never-ending infield issue â especially after their sudden release of second baseman D.J. LeMahieu just a week ago â at the July 31 trade deadline.
A new trade proposal would accomplish both of those objectives, while allowing the Yankees to hold on to their most elite prospects. The idea, pitched by Pinstripes Nation scribe Esteban Quiñones, would force the Yankees to cut ties with a fan-favorite veteran outfielder who has emerged this season as a solid power bat.
That outfielder is seven-year veteran Trent Grisham, who is playing on a one-year, $5 million contract and will hit free agency once the 2025 season wraps up.
Deal Would Send Grisham, Prospects to St. Louis
By giving up Grisham and and two of their top 10 pitching prospects, as well as a promising minor-league outfielder, the Yankees would get back two St. Louis Cardinals players â righty pitcher Erick Fedde and infielder-slash-super-utility player Brendan Donovan.
“By targeting both Fedde and Donovan, the Yankees could address pitching and offense in one coordinated move. St.â¯Louis is known to value versatility, but with (outgoing Cardinals president of baseball operations) John Mozeliakâs desire to reset the roster gains momentum, both veterans could be up for grabs in separate or joint deals,” Quiñones wrote on Thursday.
In Fedde, the Yankees would get a 32-year-old, eight-year veteran who has put up a 4.83 ERA in 19 starts this season. Fedde’s contract expires after this season, making him a “rental” for the Yankees, to fill in a hole in the middle of New York’s depleted rotation as they fight to stay in the divisional pennant race.
Donovan, a Gold Glover in his rookie year of 2022 was named to the National League All-Star team this season. In his brief, four-year career he has played all four infield positions, as well both corner outfield spots.
In addition to Grisham, according to the Pinstripes Nation trade proposal, the Yankees surrender their No. 6 prospect and third-ranked pitcher Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, acquired in the offseason from the Boston Red Sox for catcher Carlos Narvaez.
New York also gives up No. 7 prospect Chase Hampton, another righty pitcher who is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in spring training.
Outfielder Everson Pereira, the Yankees No. 12 prospect who appeared in 27 big league games for the Yankees in 2023, would round out the Yankees-Cardinals trade deadline move.
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