After hitting his 39th home run of the season, Aaron Judge seemed to send another one straight to the New York Yankees’ management.
When asked if he wanted the Yankees to make more moves before the trade deadline, Judge’s 14-word response was clear: “Other teams are making moves, so hopefully we start making moves, too,” he told reporters on July 29. “We’ll see.”
Judge hit two home runs in a 14-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies just before the trade deadline. If there was ever a time to send a message, he found it.
The Yankees haven’t been inactive but haven’t made major moves either. They acquired Jazz Chisholm Jr. for three prospects, and the immediate results of that trade have been impressive.
Chisholm also hit two home runs in the same game against the Phillies, using Judge’s bat for the second one.
“That was all him, that was all him,” Judge said. “He was holding it, kind of taking some practice swings, and kind of looked at me and said ‘Hey, you mind?’ I said ‘No, go for it. Just make sure you use it.’ And he definitely did. So I think I get half a homer for that one.”
As of July 29, the Yankees are 63-45, just half a game behind the Baltimore Orioles for the AL East lead.
Jon Heyman Shoots Down Jack Flaherty Chances
On July 29, just hours before his scheduled start against the Cleveland Guardians, Jack Flaherty was pulled from the lineup, as reported by Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman of The New York Post.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today revealed that the New York Yankees were in discussions with the Detroit Tigers regarding the right-handed pitcher. “The New York Yankees are in extensive trade talks for Tigers starter Jack Flaherty and plan to trade starter Nestor Cortes if they land Flaherty,” Nightengale tweeted on July 29.
However, Jon Heyman of The New York Post downplayed the likelihood of the Yankees acquiring Flaherty.
“There were also some rumblings the Yankees were in on top right-handed rental Jack Flaherty,” Heyman wrote on July 29. “However, things didn’t look overwhelmingly positive on that front, either.”
Flaherty has a record of 7-5 in 18 starts this season. Up to July 29, he has pitched 106.2 innings, allowed 15 home runs, and recorded 133 strikeouts.
Yankees Urged To Make ‘Major Rotation Move’
In the same column for the New York Post, Heyman urged the Yankees to make another trade, this time for a starting pitcher.
“They (Yankees) need to bolster their rotation in a big way, not just because the Orioles (and Dodgers) are the most likely team to do so, but also because they are just not good enough,” Heyman wrote. “I get it. The price of doing business isn’t just high, it’s extraordinary. But it’s time to act.”
Blake Snell is a potential target, as the San Francisco Giants have indicated they are looking ahead to 2024.
The catch? Snell has a $30 million player option for 2025, and the Giants aren’t willing to share the cost.
“The Yankees are one of a half-dozen teams to check in on two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell, but the Giants are telling teams they don’t want to pay down Snell’s $30 million 2025 player option,” Heyman wrote.
Snell is the reigning NL Cy Young winner. This season, he has pitched 47.2 innings, allowed 5 home runs, and recorded 61 strikeouts.
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