If you look at the New York Yankees record today, you would expect them to be buyers over the next week as the MLB trade deadline approaches. They currently sit at 60-44, just 1.5 games behind the first-place Orioles in the AL East. They have possession of the top Wild Card spot and are 4.5 games ahead of the Red Sox who currently sit just outside the playoff picture. With a few additions, one would think the Yankees can chase down the Orioles and, at the very least, maintain a playoff spot over the final two months of the year.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 23: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees points to the dugout after hitting his third home run of the game against the Washington Nationals at Yankee Stadium on August 23, 2023 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Since June 1st, the Yankees are 20-25, and they are 2-4 since play resumed following the all-star break. If they continue to play at this rate, they will be out of a playoff spot by the end of August, and although, in theory, making trades could improve the team, the struggles aren’t from a lack of talent. The problem with the Yankees is that they no longer have a winning culture. Aaron Judge is a terrific player, one of the best in the world. He is a great leader and captain as well. However, one man is not enough. The biggest issues with the Yankees are in the front office and with their manager, Aaron Boone. Boone, simply put, is not a good manager. He doesn’t get the best out of his players, and he seems to be more worried about being liked when, instead, he should be focused on winning baseball games. He has never managed the bullpen properly, and he doesn’t hold players accountable. In the front office, Brian Cashman hasn’t done anything good since 2009. His teams always underachieve (with the exception of 2017), and a new face is desperately needed. The game has passed Cashman by, and as long as he is running the show, the Yankees won’t be going back to a World Series.
The Yankees traded a package of quality young players to the Padres this past offseason to acquire Juan Soto in a deal that made complete sense for both teams. The Padres were looking to shed salary and add depth, while the Yankees were looking to add another superstar bat to their lineup. Soto has been fantastic, in fact, I think he has even exceeded expectations. Through 100 games this season, Soto is batting .311 with a .435 OBP, 1.034 OPS, 26 HR, 20 doubles, 83 runs, and 72 RBI. If not for his teammate Judge, Soto would likely be the front-runner for AL MVP. The problem here is that despite the incredible seasons from both Judge and Soto, the Yankees have played horrible baseball for two months. The rest of the lineup is a weak spot for them, and since Giancarlo Stanton went down with an injury, there has been no one to protect Judge in the lineup.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 30: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees bats in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on March 30, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
The Yankees starting pitching and bullpen have also fallen apart. Through April and May, the Yankees had one of the best pitching staffs in MLB, and their bullpen was surprisingly a strong suit for them. Currently, no one coming out of the pen is reliable with the exception of Luke Weaver and Clay Holmes. In the rotation, Gerrit Cole has had mixed results since he made his season debut, Carlos Rodon is inconsistent, Marcus Stroman has struggled, Nestor Cortes Jr. can’t pitch on the road, and Luis Gil is about to hit his innings limit.
Let’s say that the Yankees lineup suddenly starts to hit with consistency again. Would they improve? They certainly would. But that’s far from a guarantee, and it doesn’t change the fact that their rotation has crapped out, and their bullpen is a mess. Without quality pitching, this team could definitely miss the playoffs, and even if they do find a way to squeeze in, they will exit early because teams will pitch around Soto and Judge and tee off on the Yankees pitching staff. The smart thing, yet a controversial thing to do, is to TRADE JUAN SOTO.
Soto is set to hit the open market for the first, and possibly the only time in his career, and by all accounts, he is going to make BANK! I don’t think anyone would be surprised if he got a 15-year, 500-million-dollar contract. The Yankees can afford that if they want, but Hal Steinbrenner is not his father. I don’t see Hal dishing out that kind of money for any player, even if it is Juan Soto, who is a generational talent. Basically, Soto might be a Yankee for another two months and then move on to the team that pays him the most money (likely the Mets or Dodgers). Get as much as you can for Soto right now, stock up on young talent, and look toward the future with a new manager and GM. Also, if the Yankees do trade Soto, it doesn’t mean they can’t offer him the most money and bring him back to the Bronx next season. They can essentially have their cake and eat it, too, if they are willing to spend the money. Get better in the future by trading Soto and then bring him back. It worked when they did it with Aroldis Chapman in 2016, why couldn’t it work now?
