With a 39-25, first-place file, the Yankees are probably the greatest groups in baseball. Actually, within the American League.
Nevertheless, an unsuccessful weekend towards the fourth-place Purple Sox – Boston took 2-of-3 within the Bronx and dropped double digits within the final two video games – highlighted the Yankees’ room for enchancment forward of the July 31 commerce deadline.
“They had their hitting shoes on the last couple nights,” Aaron Boone stated after the Yankees fell, 11-7, on Sunday Evening Baseball. “They beat us here this weekend. It’s part of it. We’ll regroup into the off day.”
Added Aaron Decide, who hit two homers in Sunday’s loss: “The message is just keep going. We’ve lost a couple series already this year. It’s just another series. We’ve got a big one coming up against Kansas City.”
The shortcomings of the Yankees’ roster had been on show within the two losses.
With Anthony Volpe’s elbow banged up and Jazz Chisholm Jr. getting a scheduled off day after coming back from the injured checklist earlier within the week, Saturday’s 10-7 loss noticed the Yankees begin Oswald Peraza and Pablo Reyes.
That each gamers have lasted this lengthy on the roster isn’t preferrred for a group with championship aspirations, even one which has suffered quite a few accidents since spring coaching. That’s very true for Reyes, who has provided subsequent to nothing on the plate and has been a legal responsibility within the subject.
With Giancarlo Stanton anticipated to begin a rehab project quickly, Reyes’ days might be numbered. In the meantime, a alternative for the slick-fielding however light-hitting Peraza would elevate the ground of the Yankees’ bench. Somebody like Pittsburgh’s Isiah Kiner-Falefa would make sense in that position; the ex-Yankee would enthusiastically welcome a return to New York.
The Yankees may even absolutely discover a commerce for a beginning caliber second or third baseman, although DJ LeMahieu has been taking part in nicely of late, going 9-for-21 (.429) to begin the month. It’s too quickly to say that the well-paid veteran, who has proven indicators of decline lately, will probably be a constant contributor, however LeMahieu’s efficiency may impression what the Yankees do forward of the deadline.
Saturday’s loss additionally noticed Ryan Yarbrough shelled for the primary time because the swingman entered the Yankees’ rotation. The funky lefty had been stellar earlier than that, however he allowed eight earned runs over simply 4 innings.
Whereas Yarbrough, in addition to Will Warren and Clarke Schmidt, have ranged from sharp to serviceable on the backend of the Yankees’ rotation, the group ought to look into the beginning pitching market. Sure, Marcus Stroman and Luis Gil are working their approach again from harm, however the former had a number of the worst stuff in baseball earlier than getting damage, and there’s no assure the sometimes erratic Gil, nonetheless weeks away from his season debut, will return to his Rookie of the Yr kind after being sidelined for months.
The Yankees’ bullpen has additionally proven some deficiencies with Luke Weaver on the IL.
On Saturday, Ian Hamilton’s issues endured, as his ERA rose to five.14 after permitting two earned runs. On Sunday, Jonathan Loáisiga’s struggles with the longball continued, as he allowed two homers over 1.1 innings.
Loáisiga deserves some grace, as he’s coming off elbow surgical procedure and is an electrical, high-leverage reliever when he’s at his greatest. Boone reasoned that he’s nonetheless settling into issues after making his season debut on Might 16.
“Stuff-wise, he’s where he needs to be,” the supervisor stated.
That stated, the righty must be restricted to lower-leverage spots for now, and the Yanks may nonetheless enhance over Hamilton and the left-handed Brent Headrick.
The rehabbing Jake Cousins may present an inside answer. Nevertheless, he has an harm historical past, and additional depth wouldn’t damage a pen that’s already endured another aches.
