Key Takeaways:
– New York Yankees, the first MLB team to achieve 50 wins in 2024, could bolster their strength with a potential trade.
– Reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, Gerrit Cole, is set to return.
– Detroit Tigers’ pitcher, Jack Flaherty, is touted for potential move to the Yankees.
– Yankees’ current lead is slim with the Baltimore Orioles close behind, indicating the need for reinforcement.
A Grand Consideration for Yankees
The New York Yankees, leading the charge as the first Major League Baseball (MLB) team to hit the 50-win milestone in 2024, may be getting a heavy hitter back in their rotation soon. Gerrit Cole, the eminent American League Cy Young Award winner, is on the precipice of returning. This promising news comes amidst speculations of further strengthening their rotation, with Detroit Tigers’ star pitcher, Jack Flaherty, on their radar.
FOX Sports’ commentator, Deesha Thosar, recently proposed this maneuver as the trade deadline looms. But does this potential addition make strategic sense for the Yankees?
Understanding the Tigers’ Rocks and Ripples
The Tigers haven’t had a star-spangled season so far, with a less than impressive 34-39 record coming into the games on June 19. They are currently trailing a considerable 11.5 games behind the frontrunner in the American League Central. Their chances at the AL Wild Card aren’t entirely bleak, sitting at 6.5 games behind the final postseason spot.
Manager A.J. Hinch’s team hasn’t reached the seller status approaching the trade deadline. However, should the Tigers not steady their game within the ensuing weeks, they might be compelled to do so. In this case, Flaherty’s contract ending this winter makes him a desirable player for a possible trade. The right-handed pitcher has performed admirably with a record of 4-4 and a 3.01 ERA over 77.2 innings across 13 starts.
Unveiling Flaherty’s Attractiveness for the Yankees
Thosar’s speculation finds its root in the Yankees’ rookie sensation, Luis Gil. The latter’s impressive 2.03 ERA over 80 innings indicates his potential, but workload worries could overshadow his talents. Historically, Gil’s highest innings pitched amounts to 108.2 in 2021, accrued while splitting his time between major league and minor league games.
More concerning is this isn’t a singular issue restricted to Gil; other pitchers in the Yankees’ rotation share this predicament. “The rest of the Yankees rotation is quietly in a similar boat as Gil,” Thosar remarked. According to Thosar, amid the shortage of workhorses, the Yankees would need reinforcements against the average expected Fielder Independent Pitching (FIP).
Posing this predicament, Thosar suggests that Flaherty, due to hit free agency in the offseason, could be the ideal fill-in since the Tigers might consider selling.
A Wake-Up Call for Complacency
Despite owning baseball’s best record at 51-24 as of June 19, the Yankees’ lead in their division is the tightest of any first-place team. A mere 2.5 game lead separates them from the trailing Baltimore Orioles. Compared to the Cleveland Guardians’ slightly more comfortable 4.5 game lead above the Minnesota Twins, the Yankees’ lead seems paltry.
The Orioles, fresh off a triumphant 101-win streak and the AL East title in 2023, are hot on the Yankees’ heels with their strong roster and the highest-rated farm system according to MLB.com. The prospect of the Orioles making major trade deadline moves looms large.
Regardless of the optimistic outlook with Cole’s imminent return, the Yankees must address their rotation’s workload concerns. Given the Orioles’ encroaching threat, increasing their pitching depth seems the savvy move for General Manager Brian Cashman and the Yankees’ top brass.