The New York Yankees made three trades at the MLB deadline. They filled major needs with utility player Jazz Chisholm Jr. and bullpen relievers Mark Leiter Jr. and Enyel De Los Santos. However, fans believe they could have done more. General manager Brian Cashman spoke with WFAN Sports Radio on Thursday and got into a heated debate regarding the deadline.
WFAN’s Brandon Tierney initiated the discussion by stating, “The highest level of urgency to win…” I have not seen that in the previous few years in the same way that we have in the past.
Cashman replied, “I would contradict what you are stating. “It makes no sense.”
Cashman went on to defend the team’s treatment of Aaron Hicks and Joey Gallo, which Tierney used to criticize the team’s lack of urgency. He concluded his response by saying, “I believe that when the dust settles, the question is, did we win the World Series or not? And if we don’t win the World Series, clearly all of this stuff comes into play, making you question their hunger.”
The 2024 additions have begun perfectly. Chisholm hit two home runs in two consecutive games, assisting in a sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies. Leiter pitched on his first two days as a Yankee and shut out the Phillies in both games. So far, it appears like Cashman is correct, but the Yankees’ ultimate goal remains the World Series.
Fans felt the moves were insufficient to push the Yankees over the line, but Cashman disagrees. What is the Yankees’ outlook this season?
The Yankees trade deadline gives them World Series Push
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13), third base for the New York Yankees, hits a single against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning at Citizens Bank Park.
The Yankees’ deadline additions solved their two most pressing needs, which is what matters most. The infield need improvement both offensively and defensively, and Chisholm has delivered. His first professional games at third base have gone well, and his power from the left side has driven the team to four wins.
That still leaves the Yankees with significant difficulties in the infield. Ben Rice has gone cold since his blazing start, Gleyber Torres has had an up-and-down season, and Anthony Volpe hasn’t hit well. Volpe continues to play shortstop since the defense is not an issue. However, the other positions could have benefited from an update. This is one area in which many believe the squad could have improved.
The bullpen required reinforcements, and it probably needed more. As reliable as Leiter has been, Clay Holmes has not been an adequate closer. Adding a pitcher like Tanner Scott or Carlos Estevez would have strengthened the bullpen and shifted Holmes to a lower-risk role.
The most pressing requirement that Cashman did not address was the starting rotation. Injuries and bad performance have emphasized the Yankees’ problems since mid-June. According to a post-deadline report, the Yankees considered signing Jack Flaherty but ultimately opted against it owing to injury concerns. Clarke Schmidt will return off the injured list at some point this season, adding depth to either the bullpen or starting rotation, but only time will tell if that is sufficient.
