Cody Bellinger’s pregame agility work on Sunday night offered some encouragement, but it wasn’t enough to change the bigger picture: the Yankees and an unwilling Bellinger still decided an Injured List stint was necessary, and the length of that stay is unclear.
That leaves a lineup that was already short on both punch and depth in an even tougher spot. Before Bellinger went down, the Yankees’ biggest offensive need was probably a fourth outfielder after bringing in a catcher. Now that need can be pushed to a third outfielder, or maybe even a second, depending on where you stand on Jasson Domínguez.
So the question becomes simple: can the Yankees find the right kind of fringe outfield help to keep things afloat? Lane Thomas fits the profile as a low-ceiling, high-floor option. Spencer Steer looked like a useful, versatile target before his wrist popped Sunday - and at least that happened before the Yankees acquired him, unlike the Andrew Benintendi situation in 2022.
But there’s another name worth circling, and it comes with baggage the Yankees know well. George Springer, the longtime enemy, is coming off what the source calls a “career year” resurgence during the Toronto Blue Jays’ playoff run, and he’s headed for free agency before the lockout. He also has only a proportional share of his $25 million remaining for this season attached to him.
His full-season line still looks rough compared with last year’s MVP-level run, but the recent trend is what matters here. Springer’s strong stretch has grown longer by the day, and his late-game reputation remains intact. If the Red Sox decide to get aggressive at the deadline, he could make sense there too, especially if they move Jarren Duran and lean into the outfield market the way they’ve suggested they might.
For the Yankees, though, the warning is obvious: don’t let Springer end up in a place you hate again. If they want to avoid that, they may need to step in now, take on the money, and reduce the prospect cost.
Since May 18, Springer is slashing .253/.333/.452 with a 121 wRC+, and his bat speed has jumped in July. That kind of stretch is going to draw attention from contenders.
The trade framework doesn’t have to be overwhelming. One pitcher from the Thatcher Hurd, Bryce Cunningham, Kyle Carr tier should be enough, and maybe even more than enough.
Two months of Springer ought to cost something in the Yankees’ pitching surplus, but not much more than that. Push the package too far, and it starts to feel uncomfortable.
Still, the alternative is worse. Springer in Fenway would be a nasty outcome for the Yankees to watch. Healthy Bellinger or not, this is the kind of move that could make sense if the Yankees are willing to get a little evil.
In Other News...
Aaron Judge Sent Yankees A Sharp Trade Deadline Message
Sidelined with a fractured rib, Aaron Judge still managed to put a crisp edge on the Yankees trade deadline conversation. With New York working through injuries and trying to keep pace in the AL East, the captain said the club has to put itself in position to help the front office add the final pieces, a reminder that the deadline starts with performance in the clubhouse long before it reaches the phones.
The Yankees are believed to be looking for a right-handed-hitting outfielder, a catcher and bullpen help, and that list only feels more urgent with the roster shorthanded. Aaron Boone acknowledged the front office is trying to improve the team, but he stopped short of promising anything, leaving the next few days to determine whether Judges message turns into actual reinforcements. [Read more 🡒]
Yankees Trade Idea Solves A Bullpen Need Without The Usual Price
A bullpen upgrade can look expensive in late July, but the Yankees may have a path to one without paying the kind of premium that usually comes with a high-end reliever. In a speculative idea floated by The Athletics Chris Kirschner and backed by former MLB GM Jim Bowden, New York and San Diego could line up on a deal that would give the Yankees a left-handed arm to fit neatly into the late innings while sending the Padres a pair of pitching prospects with longer-term value.
The appeal for the Yankees is obvious: a reliever who can slot behind David Bednar and help stabilize the bridge to the ninth inning, with Brent Headrick and Fernando Cruz still available in fireman-type roles. From San Diegos side, Bowden sees a club with a rotation to rebuild and a chance to turn one bullpen piece into two controllable arms who could develop into back-of-the-rotation starters, which is the kind of logic that can make a trade idea linger even before anyone knows whether it becomes more than talk. [Read more 🡒]
Yankees Could Fix Their Outfield With A Familiar Enemy
The Yankees have spent plenty of time trying to patch together their outfield, and a veteran name with a long track record in October is at least worth a look. George Springer is no longer the same bat he was at his peak, but he still brings enough offensive credibility and big-game experience to make him an intriguing fit for a club that has been searching for more stability and punch in the corners.
There are obvious reasons to be cautious. Springers production has slipped from last season, and the defensive metrics point to a player whose range is no longer what it once was, which matters for any team trying to tighten up run prevention. Even so, the appeal is easy to understand for the Yankees: if they are going to add an outfield bat, they need to decide whether the postseason rsum and remaining upside are enough to justify the risk. [Read more 🡒]