Yankees’ $31 Million Duo Offers Clear Focus For Trade Deadline
Surging to an MLB-leading 46 wins, the New York Yankees have placed themselves firmly into “buyer” status as the trade deadline looms at the end of next month.
According to Fangraphs, the Yankees had a 72% chance of making the playoffs and a 6.9% chance of winning the World Series just before the season started. As of this week, those odds have improved to 99.7% and 15%, respectively. The boost can be largely attributed to a starting rotation that has exceeded expectations in the absence of Gerrit Cole and the less surprising MVP-caliber start for Juan Soto.
But to make good on the rising expectations, the team will almost certainly look to improve its roster at midseason. And as Anthony Rizzo and Gleyber Torres — a pair of infielders who are earning a combined $31.2 million in critical contract years — fail to live up to expectations, general manager Brian Cashman should have a clear idea of where to improve.
At first base, Rizzo has been in a .192/.250/.264 slump since the start of May, prompting a move to the bench for the final game of the team’s series with the Los Angeles Dodgers. DJ LeMahieu took over at third base, with Oswaldo Cabrera starting at third, offering a potential preview of some infield flexibility that the Yankees ought to lean into.
