The Yankees are still in the mix, but the path to a deadline upgrade looks like it runs through other teams getting uncomfortable first.
At 54-42 after the break, New York sits just three games back in the American League East. That’s a solid position on paper, but it also leaves plenty of room for the obvious truth: this roster still needs help. There’s no real argument that the Yankees are already operating at the level of the best team in Major League Baseball.
That’s why a name like Mason Miller keeps coming up. If the Yankees are going to make the kind of move that changes the conversation, a reliever of Miller’s caliber would fit the bill. The question is whether San Diego would even entertain the idea.
For now, nothing appears off the table. A.J.
Preller is still trying to recover from recent blockbuster swings that haven’t gone the way the Padres hoped, and that could shape how aggressive they are this time around. MLB.com noted that “The Padres just acquired Miller last summer, giving up top prospect Leo De Vries to do so, so they’ll likely be hesitant to deal him unless they get a haul in return.
At the same time, the 27-year-old flamethrower is by far the most valuable trade chip for a team that has so many underperforming stars on big contracts, and general manager A.J. Preller has earned a reputation as one of MLB’s boldest executives, which means nothing can be ruled out as far as Miller goes,” MLB.com wrote.
That’s where the Yankees’ problem comes in. If San Diego is asking for more than Miller is worth, New York has to be careful not to chase a headline instead of a real upgrade. Miller is one of the best relievers in the sport, maybe the best by a wide margin, but that doesn’t automatically make every price reasonable.
And that’s the line here: the Yankees need impact, not just noise. A blockbuster for the sake of being a blockbuster doesn’t help anyone. The real test is whether the market bends enough for New York to make a move that actually makes sense.
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Carrillos appeal is obvious enough: a hard-throwing profile with strikeout ability, but also the kind of control issues that have followed him around. San Francisco has already been trying similar low-risk bets, including its recent claim of Eric Cerantola off waivers, and the pattern suggests the front office is still sorting through options rather than settling on answers. [Read more 🡒]
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For San Francisco, the calculus is bigger than a simple deadline sell-or-keep call. The team is not actively shopping Lee, but an exceptional offer could still change the equation, and any move would come with broader consequences after the organization spent the offseason trying to strengthen its foothold in the Korean market following its South Korea visit. Lee also has an opt-out after the 2027 season, which only adds another layer for any team thinking past this summer, and for now the Giants are left weighing whether the safest move is to hold steady or listen a little longer. [Read more 🡒]
Willy Adames Finally Addressed What's Behind His Frustrating Giants First Half
Willy Adames has spent much of his first half with the Giants trying to find his rhythm at the plate while also managing something more physical behind the scenes. The shortstop acknowledged a lingering back problem has been part of the picture this season, and while he is not leaning on it as an excuse, it helps explain why his usual game has looked a little off at times.
Adames still has found ways to help San Francisco, including a grand slam on Friday and another home run the next day, but the back issue has also meant daily treatment just to stay loose. That routine cuts into the defensive work and extra practice he can do, leaving the Giants with a player who is still producing in bursts while trying to work through a frustrating stretch that has not gone away cleanly. [Read more 🡒]