With the trade deadline quickly coming to an end, New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was desperately trying to find another starting pitcher in the hopes of bolstering the rotation.
Cashman had sold on Jordan Montgomery to the St. Louis Cardinals, acquiring outfielder Harrison Bader in exchange. However, he was hoping to get one last swing with the Miami Marlins for Pablo Lopez, who was just out of reach.
Miami was asking for a sizable deal, and they wanted one of the Yankees’ starting infielders, which Cashman wouldn’t agree to.
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Marlins wanted Gleyber Torres involved in the package for Lopez.
While the identity of all the players involved remains unclear, middle infielder Gleyber Torres was a name raised in the conversations
Jackson stated:
The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees engaged the Marlins in serious discussions about pitcher Pablo Lopez, with the Yankees coming closest to a deal, according to sources.
The Yankees have gotten the most out of Gleyber Torres this season:
This season, Gleyber has earned a .257 average with a 31% on-base rate, hitting 16 homers and 46 RBIs. This is the first time Gleyber has hit double-digit HRs since 2019, showing far better hard-hit metrics. He’s earned a 43.8% hard-hit rate, 10.2% barrel rate, and 19.7° of launch angle, all career highs.
- Yankees’ veteran infielder has rehab assignment delayed after MRI revealed lack of healing
- Yankees place hard-throwing reliever on 15-day IL with hip injury
- Yankees preparing to make superstar ‘top priority’ in free agency next off-season
Defensively, he’s taking a big step forward as well, locking down the second base position with a .977 fielding percentage over 698 innings.
It is no surprise that the Marlins were trying to gain a legitimate starter for Pablo Lopez, a 26-year-old pitcher with two more years of team control. The righty has earned a 3.41 ERA this season over 118.2 innings, hosting 9.03 strikeouts per nine. He’s also posted a 75.5% left on base rate and 47% ground ball rate.
He would’ve been a fantastic replacement for Montgomery in the rotation, likely helping the team down the stretch and during the postseason with Frankie Montas and Gerrit Cole.
However, Cashman stood strong and retained his starting second baseman, who’s enjoyed a resurgent season. Hopefully, that bit of loyalty pans out as the Yankees eye their first World Series appearance in over a decade.