The injured Yankees could determine the team’s trade deadline strategy

The New York Yankees are in trouble. On June 14, they were riding a 50-22 record, but now they enter the All-Star break at 58-40, having lost 18 of their last 26 games.

They had a chance to overtake the Baltimore Orioles for first place yesterday, but instead suffered their most disappointing loss of the season when they gave up three runs in the ninth inning to inexplicable fielding errors.

Their starting pitching was great earlier in the season, but now the staff has been shaky for a full month, which exposes their lack of depth in the bullpen. Starting linebackers like Alex Vertugo and Anthony Volpe went cold, while others, like DJ LeMahieu and Kleyber Torres, never got going.

The Yankees currently have five position players and seven pitchers on the injured list—not including reliever Scott Efros. Processed today from IL and sent to minors. Some of them may return soon, and who they return and how well they play will determine their trade deadline shopping list.

The biggest player in the Yankees’ IL—literally and figuratively—was designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton. On June 21, he developed thigh pain Expected to miss four weeks. That deadline would see him return shortly after the break.

As the shine has worn off on Verdugo, Stanton’s return will mean a different lineup structure than the one they used before his injury. Instead of pushing Trent Grisham to the bench and putting Aaron Judge back in center field, Verdugo could be sat more often by playing Judge in left field.

Infielder John Bertie could also return by the end of July, according to a report Brian Hoch of MLB.com. After batting .294/.344/.405 in 133 games for the Miami Marlins last year, he hasn’t pitched for the Yankees due to injuries, making just 60 plate appearances so far in 2024. The calf landed him on the 60-day IL, and he was eligible to return on July 23. Bertie plays all over the field, but should get a chance to play at second base and third, leaving LeMahieu, Torres and Oswaldo Cabrera. the foundation.

JD Davis should be back soon from his IL-status related to a bad stomach flu. He has only 13 at-bats with the Yankees since Oakland acquired him from the A’s on June 23, but his fit in the lineup going forward depends on his defensive status. He’s never been a strong fielder, but he held his own as the San Francisco Giants’ starting third baseman last year. If the Yankees get comfortable with him at the hot corner, he could see plenty of at-bats there. Otherwise, he’s strictly a first baseman and designated hitter, and won’t have a big role behind Stanton and rookie first baseman Ben Rice.

On the pitching side, a five-man rotation of Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes, Luis Gil, Carlos Roden and Marcus Stroman appears to be set—and they should become more consistent. Starter Clark Schmidt and swingmen JD Brubaker and Cody Poteet are expected back in the second half, making the team unlikely to trade for a starter.

In the bullpen, the club expects Ian Hamilton and Lou Trivino to arrive in a few weeks with Nick Purdy coming soon. Regardless, adding quality relief pitching should be a priority. With Clay Holmes struggling of late, the team now has two reliable relievers in Michael Tonkin and Luke Weaver. The rest of the relief corps has been a revolving cast of memorable characters throughout the year.

The Yankees need to improve their lineup, but they can accomplish that with players from IL. They still need to ask available infielders and outfielders, but that’s not their highest priority. Their outfield depth should improve as players also stay healthy, but not enough to make them comfortable down the stretch.