The New York Yankees find themselves in a strange situation as they approach the All Star Break. At 44-42, nine games out of first in the AL East and 4.5 games back in the chase for the second Wild Card, they may end up as sellers come the trade deadline. It is not a place that anyone had expected the Yankees to be at this stage of the season.
The Yankees certainly did not receive any positive news should they become sellers. One possible trade chip, Darren O’Day, was placed on the Injured List on Thursday with a significant hamstring strain. It is fair to wonder if he will be able to return this season.
New York Yankees lose trade chip in Darren O’Day
O’Day was not someone that would have likely brought back a significant return. However, teams are always on the lookout for help in the bullpen, and are willing to give up decent enough players to add those veteran arms. As O’Day has a solid track record, and has been through the rigors of the postseason, he could have had a more robust market than expected.
It certainly helps that he had a solid season to that point. Although he had made just 12 appearances on the year, O’Day had allowed only four runs on nine hits and four walks in his 10.2 innings, striking out 11 batters. That type of production would certainly help a team looking for help in the middle of their bullpen.
There would have been a bit of concern with O’Day even without the hamstring injury. He had missed a large amount of time due to a rotator cuff injury, and was just getting back when this injury occurred. He had also undergone surgery on the same hamstring in 2018, ending his season.
Not only does this take away a potential trade chip, but this is a tough blow for the Yankees as a whole. If they had any hope of climbing back into contention, they would need their bullpen to step up. O’Day may not be a star, but he was a key piece of that equation. The Yankees will not only need to figure out a way to replace him, but also find other pieces to deal at the deadline.
The New York Yankees lost a potential trade chip in Darren O’Day. He may not have brought back much, but he would have had a market at the deadline.