The Yankees Seek Reinforcements Amid Injuries and the Trade Deadline
New York – After losing Clarke Schmidt for the rest of the season due to Tommy John surgery, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman announced on Wednesday that they are actively looking to acquire a starting pitcher before the July 31 trade deadline. In addition, he mentioned that the bullpen and the infield are also areas that will be sought to reinforce.Injuries have severely impacted the Yankees’ pitching staff. Gerrit Cole underwent Tommy John surgery, ending his season in March. Luis Gil suffered a lat strain in February and is expected to return in late July or early August. Ryan Yarbrough, who became an unexpected crucial contributor after signing with the team at the end of spring training, was placed on the injured list on June 22 due to an oblique strain. Schmidt was the fourth starter to be sidelined after tests revealed a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. Cam Schlittler, a top prospect, took Schmidt’s spot in the rotation on Wednesday for his major league debut against the Seattle Mariners. In the bullpen, relievers Fernando Cruz (oblique) and Mark Leiter Jr. (fibula) are on the injured list indefinitely, while Jonathan Loaisiga and Luke Weaver have struggled in their recent outings.“That doesn’t guarantee anything, but it’s the time of year,” Cashman said.
Brian Cashman, Yankees general manager
Cashman addressed the media on Wednesday following the decision to designate DJ LeMahieu for assignment, a move that further highlighted the Yankees’ void at third base. Ideally, the Yankees would have had LeMahieu in that position, but the two-time batting champion, according to Cashman, couldn’t physically play at third base after dealing with a hip injury last season. Cashman explained that LeMahieu informed him of his desire not to play at third base during the offseason, which led him to look for a third baseman. However, the Yankees did not acquire one. On Wednesday, Cashman indicated that it was a cost-driven decision.“Whether they’re relievers or starters, it’s everything,” Cashman said. “That’s the area. We have capable people, but I think it also needs some help. And if I can do it, great. But again, there are no guarantees. We will be fully involved and see where it takes us. Hopefully we can find some opportunities that benefit us.”
Brian Cashman, Yankees general manager
“We’re looking at options,” Cashman said. “But they’re within everything our ownership provides us to do. It doesn’t mean we can do everything at any given time. It comes down to the range of options available to you, whether it’s a trade or a free agent acquisition.
Brian Cashman, Yankees general manager
Without an established third baseman, the team asked Jazz Chisholm Jr. to return to third base after coming off the injured list last month. Chisholm, affected by a shoulder injury, committed three throwing errors in four games last week. On Tuesday, manager Aaron Boone announced that Chisholm would return to second base every day, relegating LeMahieu to the bench for a day before the team cut him and elevating Oswald Peraza to starting third baseman for now.
At this moment, adding players could have a significant cost for the Yankees. The Yankees’ competitive balance tax payroll currently stands at $309.9 million, according to Spotrac, more than $8 million above the highest tax threshold of $301 million. As a result, every dollar the Yankees spend above that amount will incur a 60% surcharge. In February, owner Hal Steinbrenner said the higher threshold “is not a concern for me.” Last season, the Yankees spent $378.7 million between payroll and tax payments. When asked on Wednesday if payroll limitations could affect the organization’s decision-making before the trade deadline, Cashman said he didn’t know.“Ultimately, the good thing about the Steinbrenner family is that they are willing, they want to hear everything the market is willing to bear. Hal has always told me: ‘Don’t assume anything. Make sure you take everything through me. Explain the group’s thought process and keep me informed.'”“We’ll see. I’m going to involve everyone in everything and share all that information with ownership and see where it takes us,” Cashman said. “I’ve had deadlines where I’ve acquired talent that had to be paid for to fit in and we were making money. I’ve had deadlines where we took on big contracts and things like that.
Brian Cashman, Yankees general manager
