In two weeks, the New York Yankees will be making swift moves at the trade deadline. They will play the role of buyers and seek help from other teams to bolster the offensive and outfield depth. However, as per early rumors, many teams are likely to wait until the last minute to reveal their trade stance. Meaning the Yanks may not know which team will sell until very late.
So the question is, why wait until then, after all? The Yankees have a star-stubbed lineup capable of making a difference in the second half of the season. A few changes in positions and batting order would really change the game for them. Hence, here are three moves the Yanks can make immediately to revive the dead offense.
1. Put Oswald Peraza As A Regular Starter At Third Base
Josh Donaldson‘s alleged season-ending injury has earned top infield prospect Oswald Peraza a major league promotion. In Triple-A, he has been hitting .261 with 12 home runs and.847 OPS. Due to Anthony Volpe’s permanent stay at shortstop, Peraza was deprived of an opportunity. Primarily a shortstop, Peraza would not mind adjusting to third base. His defense has been better than any infielder on the roster, and with the bat, he is in the midst of a hot streak. Moreover, playing regularly at third base would also help him in adjusting and being consistent offensively. Currently, he is leading off from the past two games, and manager Aaron Boone has also confirmed additional playing time for the prospect. Hence, moving Peraza to third base for the rest of the season seems like an ideal choice to boost the offense.
2. Split DJ LeMahieu And Anthony Rizzo At First Base
Yankees’ most reliable first baseman, Anthony Rizzo, has been in awful form since sustaining a neck injury in May. He started the season on a hot note with .916 OPS. However, since May, his numbers have plunged to an all-time career low. Since the collision with Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr., Rizzo has hit .196 with a .532 OPS. On top of that, the baseman has not hit a homer in the past 41 games. While he claims to be fully healthy, something is clearly bothering him. On the other hand, DJ LeMahieu is also not doing so great at second base. Hence, the Yankees can split the duo at first base in the near future. Through this, they can get a change in scenery and also some crucial time off.
3. Yankees Bring Estevan Florial To Left Field
Estevan Florial, who cleared waivers after being designated for assignment on April 1, has been in red hot form in the minors. He currently has the second most homers in the international league (21) while hitting .291 with a .973 OPS. While his high strikeout rate has been a drawback, the Yankees can afford to look past it. He is not currently on the 40-man roster, and the Yanks will have to clear up some space for him. Florial is a perfect candidate for the left field, as the likes of Billy McKinney, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa have struggled massively. Bringing in Florial will solve two problems, the offense, and the left-field woes. Hence, this move will definitely change the Yankees’ fortunes for good.
