MLB Insider Labels Red Sox Rival Most ‘Desperate’ Contender At Trade Deadline
A rival narrowly above the Boston Red Sox in the American League East standings likely has more urgency to make big deals before the trade deadline.
The Yankees have the AL’s best run differential (+106) by a sizable margin, but they’re just two games above the Red Sox entering Friday night. They have glaring lineup and pitching needs to address by next Thursday.
If fans and local media weren’t putting enough expectations on the Evil Empire, ESPN’s Buster Olney dialed up more pressure. The MLB insider ranked the Yankees as the most “desperate” team to make a move.
Olney cited New York’s “distinct holes” and the World Series-or-bust mentality typically associated with the organization.
“They badly need an upgrade at third base, which someone like Eugenio Suarez could fill,” Olney wrote. “Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt suffered season-ending elbow injuries, leaving a need for another experienced starting pitcher. Their bullpen also needs help in the sixth and seventh innings.
“After the departure of Juan Soto, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman are probably under more pressure to do something this season than any of their peers. What else is new?”
The Yankees had spent most of the season atop the AL East, but they trail the Toronto Blue Jays by 4.5 games after losing two of three at the Rogers Centre. They’re 8-11 in a stretch that began with four straight losses to Toronto.
Although the Yankees lead MLB in home runs (163) and slugging (.454) behind another remarkable season from Aaron Judge, they need another infielder after releasing DJ LeMahieu earlier this month. Their current starting third baseman, Oswald Peraza, is batting .147.
The starting rotation remains a mystery behind Max Fried and Carlos Rodon, and an often potent bullpen ranks 20th in team ERA.
On the other hand, Olney didn’t rank Boston among the nine most desperate teams (including the Chicago Cubs as a “wild card”). The Blue Jays placed seventh right ahead of the Red Sox’s upcoming opponent, the Los Angeles Dodgers.