The New York Yankees, once comfortably leading the American League East, have dramatically fallen in the standings. They are now three games behind the Baltimore Orioles and only 4.5 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox, who sit in third place.
The Yankees’ Urgent Need for Wins as the All-Star Break Approaches
As the All-Star break nears, the Yankees desperately need to rack up some wins. General Manager Brian Cashman will have an opportunity to address the team’s key needs by the late July trade deadline. While many players are underperforming, it is evident that several veterans are not carrying their weight.
Spotlight on Gleyber Torres’ Struggles
One of the season’s most disappointing contributors is Gleyber Torres. The 27-year-old is in a contract year but is hitting a dismal .223/.397/.344, all career lows. Although Torres has the second half of the season to improve, Cashman should not hesitate to find a more competent second baseman who can also provide better defense.
Infield Challenges and Limited Options
The Yankees ideally need a new infielder by the trade deadline, but the options are limited. Currently, DJ LeMahieu is handling third base, but he is struggling with a .194/.288/.223 batting line. LeMahieu’s performance has been ineffective, making him more of a liability than an asset.
GM Cashman Addresses the Team’s Struggles
Brian Cashman addressed the media on Tuesday regarding the team’s recent collapse. He emphasized that their strong start has helped them endure this rough patch but acknowledged that the downward trend has lasted longer than expected. This suggests he will be active at the trade deadline in a few weeks.
“Thankfully, we got out of the gates really strong. Hopefully, that cushion will allow us to work through this — hopefully sooner than later, because it’s gone long enough. But it’s been a tough stretch for us.”
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