Today is MLB’s non-wavier Trading Deadline and the New York Yankees have already made some moves to bring in JA Happ, Zach Britton and in a lesser deal Luke Voit. The Yankees are in a position to make a serious run at the 2018 World Series. And we will look at some of the players that are contributing and others who are struggling. Looking towards the deadline we covered some potential trade targets in a previous post.
1 Up- Greg Bird
In what seems like a two-plus year wait Greg Bird is seemingly healthy and finally swinging the bat as the Yankees would have hoped. Over his last 7 games, Bird is slashing .320/.379/.480. And stretching it a bit further in his last 15 games Bird has 4 home runs, 16 rbi’s and is slashing .309/.349/.600. If Bird can keep up this pace he can continue to help anchor the middle of the order with Aaron Judge out.
1 Down- Aaron Judge
Speaking of Aaron Judge, Judge was hit by a pitch on Thursday’s game against the Kansas City Royals. The HBP lead to a fractured wrist and being placed on the DL. Judge has been extremely consistent for the Bronx Bombers this season so this is a big blow to the team. Aaron is set to be out three weeks but the good news is that he may begin taking dry swing as early as next week.
2 Up- Neil Walker
Much like Greg Bird, the Yankees have been waiting for Neil Walker to start producing. And over the last two weeks plus that has been the case. Over his last 15 games, Walker is slashing for a line of .419/.481/.581. Which has remarkably been even better over the last 7 games. Where Neil has a slash line of .579/.600/.632. There was a lot spoken/written about getting rid of Neil Walker but he has now shown why the Yankees front office signed him this offseason.
2 Down- Luis Severino
To say that Luis Severino has struggled over his last few starts would be an understatement. Severino is without question the ace of the New York Yankees pitching staff. However, even aces struggle from time to time. There has been spoken of over the fact that Sevvy may be tipping his pitches. But regardless over his last 7 starts Severino has an ERA of 5.12. Which is very unlike the Severino we have seen thus far in 2018. It is only a matter of time before Luis gets it back under control and dominates as he did early in the season.
3 Up- Aaron Hicks
Aaron Hicks has been the second-best center fielder in baseball behind only Mike Trout. Hicks is having a career year with 17 home runs already to go along with 47 rbi’s. Hicks has also found himself batting in the 3 and 4 hole in the lineup on several occasions this season. Over his last 7 games, Hicks is slashing .350/.481/.550. If Aaron continues producing at this level the loss of Aaron Judge for three weeks will be better absorbed.
3 Down- Gary Sanchez
Gary Sanchez has struggles in 2018 on numerous fronts. Most recently he struggled with hustle. Something that isn’t expected from a “Superstar” player. Yet that’s what was last seen from him in Tampa Bay against the Rays. Sanchez has since been placed back on the DL and will be out a month. Sanchez must find a way to shake off the rough season thus far and look at September as a new season because he will be very important to the Yankees success in October.
B.O.L.O.- J.A. Happ
The recently acquired JA Happ made his Pinstripe debut this past Sunday and pitched quite well. Happ allowed only 1 run on 3 hits in 6 innings of work. In 120 innings this season Happ has worked to the tune of a 4.05 ERA and an 11-6 record. Happ will make his second start for the Yankees against the rival Boston Red Sox at Fenway.
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