Yanks have lost 5 of 6 and are still 12 games up on the Rays, who I still view as pretenders. Ultimately, I think the top two teams in the ALE behind NYY will be Toronto and Boston. Toronto because they're in a win now mode and Boston because they're finally getting healthy. So with the Yanks limping into the final 2 games vs the sox, their health has started to be tested.
Surprisingly, in the lineup, they've been healthy. Their "10 starters" from ST are all healthy right now and have actually added in Matt Carpenter, who has been quite possible the best player in baseball since he signed on with NYY (at least offensively). With Gallo phasing out, Carpenter phasing in and Hicks starting to hit well (he really only have one abhorrent month in May), the Yanks offense is pretty well set. I know the Yanks seem to be in on every OF out there, but I don't think that's a need now if Carpenter can play LF or RF reasonably. With the high price of Beni (and the lack of vax status) it seems the Yanks have backed off on him. David Peralta came up as a fine option, but I would only add him if we can subtract Gallo. That being said, Gallo will bring GG level defense and good speed, so he could phase in as an all or nothing option off the bench and a D replacement/pinch runner for Carpenter late in games. As maligned as the Yanks offense has been in terms of the big OF positions, I think they stand pat here, maybe they add a speedster to PR.
In the rotation, I know the Yanks are linked with Castillo, but I don't see it. Yes, it would mitigate the loss of Taillon and Monty at year's end, but they've already got a ready made replacement for them in both Sears and Schmidt. With Sevy down, we are about to get a long look at one of them. But when it comes to winning a title, you could do worse than a top two of Cole-Cortes and a 3-4 of Taillon and Monty, especially if Taillon goes on one of his runs. That also doesn't throw out Sevy, who was arguably our best starter before his trap started barking. Now Castillo would give them a 1-2-3 that is absolutely nails and if Sevy can return to form, a 1-4 that is all ace level. It would be a nice problem to have, but the Yanks cannot be shipping out their prospects when another weakness has set in
The bullpen is where the Yanks need work. Holmes has been lights out. Yes, he had a blip, but he recovered quite nicely last night. Wandy has been amazing. Michael King has been lights out. Luetge, until the Cincy game, has been really good too as a long man. Chappy is rounding into form, which is helpful. Yes, he gave up a Bobby D bomb, but he was hitting 102 and locating. He will be fine. The problems come after that. But the Yanks HAD a pen that literally had lights out options up and down the ranks. Castro has tailed off lately and it appears injury related. Loaisiga spent two months on the IL and seems to still be lacking his putaway pitch that he had last year. We had Green, who was as reliable as they come, and now he's out for the year. Marinaccio was lights out and needed a breather for a dead arm, but he appears to be coming back soon. My concern for this Yankee pen is that everyone is in a role they aren't familiar with. Holmes hasnt been a closer before. Chappy hasnt been a MR in a long time. King was a washed up starter, not a setup man. Wandy was a fringe mop up guy who is now a big part of the bridge. If the Yanks make a move, it has to be here. I would get a guy who is rolling AND can close. This can give Holmes a breather and allow Chapman not to be thrust back into a position he isn't ready for.
If the Yanks are to make any move this year, it's for Bednar in Pitt. The Pirates have made deals with NYY in the past that have worked to their advantage (they're very happy with the Taillon trade at this point) and others that didn't (Holmes deal). Yanks have a good farm and as with any reliever, the return isnt as much as a big time starter. But the Yanks need to re-establish their dominant pen back there while also dropping the work load for their most trusted guys
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Originally Posted by Meh
