The New York Yankees now hold an enviable position in the American League standings. The Yankees are currently deadlocked with the Baltimore Orioles for the AL East lead, with a 65-45 record, making them a potential contender for the 2024 World Series championship. Their moves prior to the trade deadline should only benefit them, as Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Mark Leiter Jr. are projected to significantly enhance the team.
Unfortunately, some supporters were frustrated that the Yankees could only make those moves. With their title window wide open, many assumed that this was the year to go all-in. However, reports surfaced that the Yankees were simply outbid and unable to match the trade price of a few players who switched teams before to the deadline, implying that their farm system is lacking.
Nonetheless, the Yankees showed “no great interest” in trading away their best prospects, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, despite the fact that Jasson Dominguez, Ben Rice, Austin Wells, Chase Hampton, George Lombard Jr., and Spencer Jones were all reportedly “popular in trade talks”.
At the end of the day, the Yankees didn’t need to make any major moves to improve their chances of winning the World Series. Only time will tell if they did enough before the deadline to strengthen the club in preparation for what they hope would be a successful postseason run.
Yankees miss on some of their trade targets.
The Yankees were among the teams predicted to be most active prior to the trade deadline. In the end, they only traded for three players: Jazz Chisholm Jr., Mark Leiter Jr., and Enyel De Los Santos, filling their needs at second base/center field and bullpen.
However, as Heyman pointed out, they also indicated interest in Yandy Diaz, Pete Fairbanks, and Tanner Scott, but failed to make any trades. Heyman even stated that the Yankees “never got close” to obtaining Diaz.
The Yankees also made a serious effort to improve their starting rotation, and they were among the teams that held significant trade talks with Jack Flaherty. Flaherty’s medical, however, gave New York pause, allowing the Los Angeles Dodgers to acquire the 28-year-old righty.
Roster construction necessitates a delicate balancing act. The Yankees definitely have high aspirations for the prospects currently in their system, and having those young players around might help them develop a more long-term competing team.
