As Aaron Boone sat in entrance of a microphone earlier than the Yankees’ closing sport of the primary half, he was requested to sum up his workforce’s season so far.
“Incomplete” was the primary phrase the supervisor uttered. And whereas Boone appropriately famous “there’s been a lot of good,” some current struggles would have made “underachieving” or “insufficient” applicable as effectively, because the Yankees entered the All-Star break two video games behind the Blue Jays within the American League East.
With a 53-43 report, the second-place Yankees are in possession of a wild card spot, however they beforehand held a seven-game lead in a division that now has the Purple Sox and Rays proper on their heels. It hasn’t helped that the Yankees have had a troublesome time with their AL East rivals, nor has a 15-20 report since June 6.
Two six-game dropping streaks over that stretch have amplified one other summer season skid, however the Yankees hope to begin the second half off on a excessive notice after successful 5 of their final seven video games earlier than the break.
“We could always get better in this game,” Giancarlo Stanton mentioned. “It could be crisper in all aspects. I’m not gonna break it down right now, but you could always get better, work better, work more. Just make improvements.”
Since Stanton wasn’t keen to interrupt down methods through which the Yankees can enhance, let’s have a look right here earlier than the workforce opens the second half in Atlanta on Friday.
A BIG TRADE DEADLINE
Brian Cashman just lately acknowledged that the Yankees have a “long list” of wants previous to the July 31 commerce deadline. Addressing all of them could also be tough to do in a still-developing market, however the Yankees might use a 3rd baseman, a number of relievers and rotation assist.
A case may very well be made for every being essentially the most urgent, as accidents have weakened the pitching employees, whereas the slick-fielding Oswald Peraza is at present the workforce’s main choice on the scorching nook regardless of having a 28 wRC+.
“We’re going to go to town,” Cashman mentioned. “We’re going to do everything we possibly can to improve ourselves.”
With the Yankees’ aggressive stability tax payroll projected to be $309 million, in line with Cot’s Contracts, Cashman added that the Steinbrenner household is at all times keen to pay attention with regards to potential methods to enhance the membership.
GIL’S RETURN
Even with out a commerce, the Yankees might enhance their rotation with Luis Gil, who is anticipated again from a lat damage later this summer season. The 2024 American League Rookie of the 12 months started a rehab task on July 13, totaling 3.1 innings, two hits, one earned run, one stroll, six strikeouts and 50 pitches for Double-A Somerset.
Boone mentioned that Gil will construct up at a “conservative” tempo.
The skipper additionally just lately in contrast Gil’s impending return to “trade deadline adds,” although that’s a dangerous means for the Yankees to view a man who hasn’t thrown an enormous league pitch this season. With Clarke Schmidt misplaced to Tommy John surgical procedure and the workforce’s rotation depth skinny, the Yankees would nonetheless be smart so as to add an exterior starter if they’ll.
CORRECT DIVISIONAL WOES
One cause the AL East is so tight is as a result of the Yankees have been fairly unhealthy in opposition to their rivals.
The Yankees are 10-16 vs. different groups within the East. The Rays are the one different workforce within the East with a dropping intra-division report.
When the Yankees misplaced their division result in Toronto in early July, Aaron Decide mentioned that he wasn’t involved, as “it’s a long season.” He’s proper about that, and the Yankees could have loads of possibilities to enhance their total and divisional play within the second half.
September, in the meantime, options 13 divisional video games. That features three in opposition to the Blue Jays, three in opposition to the Purple Sox and 7 in opposition to the Orioles, who will go to New York for the ultimate three video games of the season.
IMPROVEMENT FROM VOLPE
The Yankees don’t think about their shortstop to be an issue, however Anthony Volpe has been under league common on the plate and a adverse fielder and baserunner. One thing’s acquired to offer.
Volpe’s drastic inconsistencies on the plate are nothing new, however his -3 Outs Above Common are alarming for a Gold Glover whose worth has principally come on protection. Boone has fiercely defended Volpe’s glovework, however the 24-year-old mentioned he expects higher of himself earlier than the break. Cashman, in the meantime, talked about that Volpe has performed by way of some issues this season.
Volpe was hit by a pitch on his elbow on June 6, and he banged up his shoulder earlier within the season, however he’s mentioned that he feels adequate to be taking part in higher than he’s.
Maybe the break and a few relaxation will put Volpe in place for a greater second half, not less than within the area. If he doesn’t present indicators of enchancment, nonetheless, the Yankees wouldn’t be fallacious to debate their shortstop’s future this winter.
BETTER DEFENSE AND BASERUNNING
After a 2024 season and World Sequence stuffed with poor fundamentals, the Yankees needed to make protection and run prevention a core a part of their post-Juan Soto technique. They’ve improved in that regard, however their -2 Outs Above Common ranks seventeenth in baseball.
Transferring Jazz Chisholm Jr. again to second base will assist in the second half after DJ LeMahieu confirmed no vary on the place, however buying a 3rd baseman might include defensive deficiencies, as a lot of the anticipated obtainable choices are flawed on one facet of the ball. Take Eugenio Suárez, a gifted hitter however missing defender, or Ke’Bryan Hayes, MLB’s greatest fielding third baseman however one of many sport’s worst hitters, for instance.
Jasson Domínguez, in the meantime, stays a piece in progress in left area.
The Yankees might additionally run the bases higher, as their -4.2 BsR — FanGraphs’ all-encompassing baserunning metric — ranks twenty fourth within the majors.
