With the All-Star break over, the Yankees are looking to start the second half on the right foot during their four-game series against the Rays.
That’s because the Bombers are 13-21 in their last 34 games. That stretch includes a series win over Baltimore to close out the first half, but that three-game set ended with one of the Yankees’ worst losses of the year thanks to blunders from Anthony Volpe and Alex Verdugo.
Despite their poor play of late, the Yankees still found themselves in second place and just a game behind the Orioles on Friday morning. As they look to gain ground, here are some storylines to keep an eye on with the regular season resuming.
The Trade Deadline Is Approaching
The Yankees have multiple needs ahead of the July 30 trade deadline, particularly in their bullpen and infield. With Juan Soto in his only guaranteed year with the team, the front office should be aggressive.
“We’re gonna be open-minded to a lot of different things,” Brian Cashman recently said. “I’m not going to point out anything specific, but we definitely have areas to improve upon, and we’ll do our best to do so.”
While Cashman wouldn’t talk in detail, the Yankees could use a power reliever or two, as their pen is full of groundball guys. The lack of swing and miss stuff has burned the team late in games, and the unit as a whole hasn’t pitched well since June began, recording a 4.17 ERA. Names likes Tanner Scott, Michael Kopech, Lucas Erceg and Carlos Estévez, among others, could certainly help in those regards.
As for the infield, the Yankees could use an upgrade over DJ LeMahieu at third, as the veteran is hitting .188 since returning from a broken foot. Luis Rengifo, hitting .315, has been mentioned as an option, but he’s on the injured list with wrist inflammation and isn’t a good defender.
Second base could be another position the Yankees look at improving thanks to Gleyber Torres’ inconsistencies. While that seems less likely, reports have linked the team to Miami’s Jazz Chisolm Jr., a current center fielder and former second baseman.
While a lesser priority, it wouldn’t be shocking if the Yankees add rotation depth. The same could be said for outfield help, as Verdugo is hitting .215 with a .595 OPS since May 8. With Jasson Domínguez sidelined by an oblique injury, the Yankees have limited internal options when it comes to replacing Verdugo, who still brings excellent defense (outside of Sunday’s fall).
Giancarlo Stanton & Others Returning From Injury
Speaking of internal options, the Yankees have a few injured players who could return soon. Giancarlo Stanton is the most prominent of the bunch after the DH hit .246/.302/.492 with 18 homers and 45 RBI prior to a hamstring strain.
Aaron Boone recently said that Stanton will “probably be in a position to where he’s at that point” of playing in games shortly after the All-Star break. However, the Yankees had not made a decision on whether Stanton would need rehab games.
Getting Stanton back would be huge on paper, but the slugger did not perform well following injuries in 2022 and 2023. He hit .202 with a .286 OBP overall between those two seasons.
As for other injured Yankees, Jon Berti (calf) should be nearing a rehab assignment and could be a contingency at third if the Yankees can’t swing a trade. Boone has also been saying that reliever Scott Effross (back/Tommy John surgeries) is “getting close.” His rehab assignment recently ended; he was optioned to Triple-A.
JT Brubaker (Tommy John/oblique), Nick Burdi (hip) and Ian Hamilton (lat) are other pitchers who could make an impact down the road.
What Do The Yankees Have In Anthony Volpe?
Once again putting a mishap from Sunday aside, Volpe has followed his first Gold Glove Award with another stellar performance in the field. However, his offensive capabilities remain a huge question mark.
The shortstop got off to a tremendous start after making changes to his swing over the offseason. However, Volpe had slashed just .195/.222/.276 since May 31, a 40-game stretch that saw him lose his job as the Yankees’ leadoff man.
Overall, Volpe was hitting .245/.300/.366 prior to Friday.
“He’s taken his lumps here a little bit the last few weeks,” Boone said. “But I do think it’s just part of a [23]-year-old gaining experience, learning, on his way to being a more complete and finished product. I really believe he’ll get there, but he’s been wearing it a little bit these last few weeks.”
In reality, Volpe recorded a .224 average and a .290 OBP over the first 256 games of his career. The sophomore has not been hitting for average and getting on base, nor has he been demonstrating the power he displayed during a rookie season that was uneven in other ways.
Volpe has cut his K%, but he hasn’t homered since May 16.
Boone said he doesn’t believe Volpe’s swing changes will hurt his power “in the end,” but it’s unclear why they’re zapping him now.
“I think he gets back to, eventually, where there’s power in his game,” Boone said, adding that he believes Volpe will eventually be a “complete hitter” who balances contact, pop and getting on base. “I think it’ll all be in there when it’s all said and done. But he’s working to get there.”
Judge Chasing His Own Record
Even after a slow start to the season, Aaron Judge positioned himself as an MVP frontrunner in the first half. Entering Friday, the All-Star led the majors in homers (34), RBI (85), OBP (.433), slugging (.679), OPS (1.112) and wRC+ (207).
His 34 homers were the most ever by a Yankee before the All-Star break.
“Getting to be in the dugout and watch him do that, I can’t put into words cause I’ve never seen anything like it before,” Austin Wells said. “It’s super special.”
With 34 dingers in his team’s first 98 games, Judge is behind his 2022 pace. That year, the captain crushed 38 homers in the Yankees’ first 98 games before breaking the American League’s single-season record with 62 longballs.
However, Boone likes to say that Judge’s feats are “believable,” even when they’re unprecedented. With that in mind, it wouldn’t surprise if Judge challenged his own record in the second half.
