As the late July trade deadline approaches, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman is gearing up to address multiple weak spots in the team’s roster. The bullpen has been a major concern, showing signs of disarray and in need of urgent reinforcements. Similarly, the infield has also been underperforming, prompting a need for strategic acquisitions.
Yankees Facing Challenges as Trade Deadline Approaches
Although Anthony Volpe has been a standout at shortstop, providing excellent defense and holding his own at the plate, other areas of the infield have been less impressive.
Newly promoted prospect Ben Rice has shown some promise at first base with two hits in his first two games, suggesting potential if given more opportunities. However, key players like Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu have not lived up to expectations, with performances that can only be described as lackluster.
DJ LeMahieu’s Struggles at the Plate
DJ LeMahieu, recently back from a right foot injury, has played 17 games this season but has struggled significantly with his batting, hitting just .196 with a .292 on-base percentage and no home runs. His slugging statistics are notably poor, with a hard-hit rate of 38.6% and an average exit velocity of 88.4 mph. His ground-ball percentage is particularly alarming at 58.1%, indicating a major issue with getting the ball airborne, even though he managed two hits in a recent game against Baltimore.
The Yankees Need More From Gleyber
On the other hand, Gleyber Torres is in a contract year and is experiencing one of his worst seasons to date. At 27 years old, he is batting .219 with a slugging percentage of .328, including six home runs and 27 RBIs. His performance has dipped across the board, with a notable decrease in his hard-hit rate to 35.1%.
Defensively, Torres has also been a liability, with a .965 fielding percentage and 10 errors over 661 innings, culminating in a negative impact on run-saving.
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Upcoming Moves and Expectations
With these challenges in mind, the Yankees are expected to focus on bolstering the infield, particularly at third base. While there is hope that Torres can regain his form in the second half of the season and contribute effectively during a potential playoff run, the need for enhanced offensive production at the corners is pressing. As the trade deadline looms, a strategic acquisition in this area seems increasingly likely.