The New York Yankees have managed to remain steady without ace Gerrit Cole’s presence this MLB season. Cole is likely to take at least another month to recover from the elbow nerve inflammation injury. And even after his return, the Bronx Bombers are unlikely to push him to the extreme.
Under these circumstances, the New York Yankees might be tempted to look for outside reinforcements. Notably, the trade deadline won’t expire until August 1. But given the dire roster needs, the Yanks can give into the pressure and pull off an early trade. The team was even recently linked to an All-Star starter.
Yankees Linked To Athletics Starter Paul Blackburn In Early Season Trade!
With Gerrit Cole‘s immediate return uncertain, the New York Yankees are exploring potential moves to bolster their roster for the remainder of the season. Meanwhile, Adam Weinrib of Yanks Go Yard floated Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Paul Blackburn as an ideal reinforcement candidate for the Yanks. Blackburn has enjoyed a solid season thus far, posting an impressive 3.34 ERA in six starts. He previously made it to the All-Star in 2022 with a 4.28 ERA in 21 starts. His ability to consistently pitch deep into games and keep opposing hitters off balance with devastating changeups could have caught the Yank’s attention. One of Blackburn’s most attractive qualities is his versatility. While primarily a starting pitcher, he has the ability to pitch effectively out of the bullpen if needed.
Another factor that makes Blackburn an appealing target for the Yankees is his affordability. As a relatively young and cost-controlled player, Blackburn represents a low-risk, high-reward option for Yankees looking to add talent without breaking the bank. Acquiring him would allow the Yanks to address their needs without sacrificing significant assets in return, making him an attractive trade target. Moreover, in terms of fit, Blackburn would slot in well with the Bombers’ pitching staff, providing depth behind their top starters. Of course, acquiring Blackburn is not without its risks. Like any trade, there are no guarantees of success. Ultimately, the decision to pursue Blackburn will come down to the team’s assessment of their needs and their willingness to part with assets to make a deal happen. But with his All-Star pedigree, Blackburn seems potentially a significant boost for Yanks.
Yanks Announce Roster Move Ahead Of Orioles Series!
Ahead of the pivotal series against arch AL-East rivals Baltimore Orioles, the New York Yankees announced fresh roster moves. In-form left fielder Alex Verdugo was placed on the paternity list as he recently welcomed a baby with his girlfriend. Subsequently, catcher Carlos Narvaez was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as an immediate replacement.
Notably, in Verdugo’s absence, Yankees captain Aaron Judge started in left field for the first time in his major league career. Since debuting in 2016, Judge has largely played in right and center field. While he started in left during his college days, he never tried that experiment in majors until Monday against the Orioles. The experiment has worked so far. But it remains uncertain as to how long it will last.
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