AL East: 1 screw up the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, Rays and Blue Jays can make at the MLB trade deadline
By Scott Roche
Boston Red Sox can screw up the deadline by not making pitching additions
A month ago, the playoffs were an afterthought for the Boston Red Sox. However, after finishing the first half strong and beginning the second half by winning four out of six on the road against the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics, they suddenly have become players in the Wild Card race and should be adding arms at the deadline.
Their starting pitching is hanging on by a thread, but they have been getting good performances from a couple of their “openers” and Nick Pivetta has provided a spark since being moved to the bullpen. GM Chaim Bloom will more than likely add some arms for starting pitching depth, as well as bullpen depth and Blackburn will be at the top of his list. If he does not add at least one or two arms by the deadline, what a disappointment it would be in Boston.
New York Yankees can screw up the deadline by not adding a left-handed bat
Injuries have been a big reason for the Yankees sitting in last place in the AL East and it’s going to take a big turnaround for them to get into the postseason. Their offense has struggled in the absence of Aaron Judge and they need to add an outfielder and preferably a left-handed bat.
The obvious answer is Cody Bellinger from the Cubs who put on a show at Yankees Stadium before the All-Star break and his swing would fit perfectly there. Another need for New York is another arm for the starting rotation, another option for manager Aaron Boone out of the bullpen, and a catcher. That’s an awful lot for a team that just doesn’t seem to have it in them this season to be a factor come October. GM Brian Cashman will do something because it’s the Yankees, but he would be wise to not give away a lot of prospects. That would be an even bigger deadline mistake.