The New York Yankees just got rolled by the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 on Tuesday. That makes it eight losses in their last ten games. They’re now four games back in the AL East with a 50-41 record. Not great.
But here’s where it gets interesting. MLB Network insider Joel Sherman went on MLB Now and said something that might make you do a double-take: he still thinks the Yankees are the most talented team in the American League.
“I still think that they’re the most talented team in the American League,” Sherman said. “They should, say by early August, get back (Max) Fried and (Carlos) Rodon, which should settle down their rotation. I think they’re going to get back Aaron Judge at some point, maybe Giancarlo Stanton.”
It’s All About Getting Healthy
The biggest issue for this team? They’ve been playing without Aaron Judge. And when Judge is out, the whole lineup looks different. Not in a good way. You can’t just replace the best hitter in baseball and expect everything to keep humming along.
The pitching staff has been alright, but it’s not crazy to think they’ll be better once Fried and Rodon slot back in. Fried’s been solid when healthy and Rodon can be dominant. Getting those two back should stabilize a rotation that’s been patchwork lately.
Trades Could Help Too
The front office isn’t sitting still either. Word is they could be looking at making a move or two before the deadline. Adding another bat to the lineup feels like priority one. But you wouldn’t be surprised to see them grab another arm for the bullpen or a starter if the price is right.
So are the Yankees really the most talented team in the AL? When everyone’s available, the argument writes itself. Judge, Stanton, Fried, Rodon, Gerrit Cole — that’s a lot of star power. But the Rays have been playing cleaner baseball all season. They’re consistent. The Yankees have been anything but.
What this team needs is for its injured guys to actually get back on the field and stay there. And then they need to find some rhythm, some consistency, some version of themselves that doesn’t lose eight out of ten. If they can do that, Sherman might end up looking prescient. If not, it’s going to be a long second half in the Bronx.
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