ESPN’s Buster Olney went on First Take Wednesday and basically told everyone to get ready. The Yankees are three games back in the AL East with a 54-42 record, and Olney expects general manager Brian Cashman to start moving pieces soon. Not just moving them. Pushing hard.
Here’s what Olney said: Cashman will target at least one reliever and maybe a right-handed bat before the August 3 deadline. And the thinking is, if the Yankees can tread water until Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton get back from injury, they might actually be dangerous in October. That’s the hope anyway.
“Am I concerned about the Yankees winning the AL East? Absolutely, because Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, they’re not close to coming back,” Olney said. “But in terms of making the playoffs, and perhaps playing deep into October, I think they will still figure it out before the end of the year.”
What the Yankees Need and Why It Matters
Olney didn’t throw out specific names. But he narrowed it down. The bullpen needs help. Every playoff team leans hard on its relievers, and the Yankees’ pen has been inconsistent. A right-handed hitter makes sense too, especially with the lineup missing its two biggest bats.
Judge and Stanton are both on the IL. No firm return dates yet. That’s a problem. The team has held together okay, sitting three back of Tampa Bay and actually leading the wild-card race. But the Rays aren’t going away, and the schedule doesn’t let up.
One thing working in New York’s favor? The American League is kind of a mess this year. That 54-42 record? It would put the Yankees in first place in both the AL Central and the AL West. So even if they don’t catch the Rays, they’re probably still getting a playoff spot. The question is whether that spot leads anywhere.
The Aggressive Approach
“Brian Cashman, their general manager, will be aggressive before the trade deadline,” Olney said. “Add a reliever, maybe a right-handed batter. And they will get Judge and Stanton back, and they will be a factor again in October.”
The Yankees have made deadline moves before. Sometimes they work. Sometimes they don’t. But with the second half about to start and the division still within reach, Cashman has a clear mandate. The team hasn’t confirmed any targets, but scouts have been seen at a few games that raise eyebrows. That’s usually a sign something is cooking.
As for Judge and Stanton, the Yankees are being careful. No rush. The thinking seems to be: get healthy, stay healthy, and let Cashman patch the holes in the meantime. If that works, the roster could look pretty different by August 4.
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