As the unofficial start to the second half of the MLB season kicks off on Friday, the Yankees find themselves grappling with some pressing questions.
How many of their weaknesses can be addressed before the trade deadline?
Last week, Brian Cashman laid out a long list of needs for the Yankees: starting pitchers, bullpen support, and an infielder, among others.
That’s quite the request for one trade deadline, especially when many teams are buyers rather than sellers, and the options available aren’t plentiful.
For instance, if the Diamondbacks were to trade Eugenio Suarez, the Yankees would still face stiff competition for any players available across the infield.
And it seems like nearly every team is also on the lookout for both starters and relief pitchers.
Although top prospect George Lombard Jr. may think the situation is chaotic, the real question is how effectively the Yankees can navigate these challenges before the July 31 deadline.
Will Lewis Gill return from the IL?
It’s been quite a journey for Lewis Gill, who was once a promising rookie. Before he can step on a big league mound again, there are several boxes he still needs to check, and it seems he’ll need at least three or four rehab starts to build up his pitch count.
Even if Gill does come back in early August, it might be overly optimistic to expect him to perform at the level he did last season.
How close he gets to that form by the end of the season could have a significant impact on the Yankees’ prospects going forward.
The lead-up to the All-Star break proved to be a tough time for the Yankees shortstop. He struggled mightily, going 12-for-96 with a .420 OPS over his last 27 games, and has also made several defensive errors.
The 24-year-old had shown promise as a hitter over his first three seasons, but his defensive play has raised serious concerns as his batting faltered.
Maybe what the Yankees really need is a more consistent Anthony Volpe on both sides of the ball in the second half, which could serve as a fresh start for him.
