Running Out of Time

By Eddie Castro
For the most part, it is safe to say the New York Yankees were one of the teams that came out as winners during last week’s trade deadline. General Manager Brian Cashman has the huge task of upgrading a roster that has three major needs. One being bringing in depth and right-handed hitters to match up against opposing left-handed pitchers, acquiring relief pitchers, and possibly a starting pitcher. Before the July 31st deadline, Cashman was able to check two out of three.

The team acquired relief pitchers David Bednar, Jake Bird, and Camilo Duval. The Yankees also added some much-needed bench depth in Amed Rosario, Austin Slater, and Jose Caballero. Slater and Rosario have good numbers against left-handed pitching, and the acquisition of Caballero not only provides speed (leads the league in stolen bases with 35) but can give a rest here and there for shortstop Anthony Volpe.

With a revamped bullpen and a deeper bench, the Yankees are set up for another playoff run. The question is, can the Yankees find a way to even get in the playoffs?

Since the trade deadline, the Yankees are 0-4 with all four games within reach of a Yankees victory. The team has had some bad luck the past week, losing two of the last four games, having the lead in the late innings of the game.

What was the biggest weakness for the Yankees before the deadline is the exact reason they have lost these heart-wrenching games. The lack of consistency from the starting and relief pitching, and the offense. Since July 1st, Yankees starters have pitched to an ERA of 5.62, which ranks 27th in the league. The relievers have been worse with an ERA of 6.13 (29th in MLB). The Yankees’ offense has a 114 WRC+(weighted runs created), which ranks 4th in MLB.

The Yankees’ chance of making the playoffs could be slipping. As we go to press, the Bronx Bombers are 5.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the American League East division, and they have dropped to the No.2 slot in the AL Wild Card standings.

It has not even been two weeks, and already the Yankees have optioned Jake Bird to AAA after two bad outings. With just 47 games left in the regular season, Manager Aaron Boone must find a way to get the best out of this current roster.

Help could be on the way as slugger Aaron Judge is back after missing the last 10 games with a right elbow flexor strain. A team in desperate need of some offense will now be able to insert its best player back in the lineup. Judge will be the team’s designated hitter moving forward until the team feels comfortable throwing him back in the outfield.

All the Yankees have to find a way to score runs early and, most importantly, put the right combination of relievers to hold on for the win. August could very well be the make-or-break month for the team in 2025.

Sports Notes: (Football) Yes, ladies and gentlemen, football is indeed around the corner, with pre-season for both the Jets and Giants kicking off this weekend! Tune in to an All-New episode of Sports Talk With Eddie tonight at 5 p.m. on the Our Time Press YouTube channel.