After smashing his 39th home run of the season, Aaron Judge appeared to send another message directly to the New York Yankees’ management offices.
When asked if he hoped the Yankees would make additional moves before the trade deadline, Judge succinctly expressed his desire in 14 words.
“Other teams are making moves, so hopefully we start making moves too,” Judge told reporters on July 29. “We’ll see.”
Judge hit two home runs in a 14-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies just before the trade deadline, seizing the opportunity to make his point.
While the Yankees haven’t been very active, they haven’t been idle either. They traded three prospects for Jazz Chisholm Jr., and the immediate impact has been impressive.
Chisholm also hit two home runs in the game against the Phillies, using Judge’s bat for his second homer.
2nd game as a Yankee.
2nd home run as a Yankee. @j_chisholm3 ✌️ pic.twitter.com/0kZYlRM5pY— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 30, 2024
Judge told reporters it was Chisholm’s idea.
“That was all him, that was all him,” Judge remarked. “He was holding it, taking some practice swings, and looked at me asking, ‘Hey, do you mind?’ I told him, ‘No, go for it. Just make sure you use it.’ And he certainly did. So I guess I get half a homer for that one.”
As of July 29, the Yankees have a record of 63-45, placing them just half a game behind the Baltimore Orioles for the AL East lead.
On July 29, hours before a game against the Cleveland Guardians, Jack Flaherty was pulled from the lineup, according to Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman of The New York Post.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the Yankees were negotiating with the Detroit Tigers for the right-handed starter.
Jon Heyman Shoots Down Jack Flaherty Chances
“The New York Yankees are in extensive trade talks for Tigers starter Jack Flaherty and plan to trade starter Nestor Cortes if they acquire Flaherty,” Nightengale tweeted on July 29.
However, Jon Heyman of The New York Post cast doubt on the Yankees’ prospects of acquiring the right-hander.
“There were also some rumblings about the Yankees being interested in top right-handed rental Jack Flaherty,” Heyman wrote on July 29. “However, things didn’t look overwhelmingly positive on that front either.”
Flaherty has a 7-5 record in 18 starts this season, with 106.2 innings pitched, 15 home runs allowed, and 133 strikeouts through July 29.
Yankees Urged To Make ‘Major Rotation Move’
In the same column for the New York Post, Heyman urged the Yankees to make another trade, this time for a starting pitcher.
“They (Yankees) need to significantly enhance their rotation, not just because the Orioles (and Dodgers) are likely to do so, but also because their current pitching staff isn’t strong enough,” Heyman wrote. “I understand that the cost of acquiring a top-tier pitcher is extremely high, but it’s time to make a move.”
Blake Snell is a potential candidate, especially since the San Francisco Giants have indicated they’re focusing on 2024.
However, there is one major consideration: he has a $30 million player option for 2025, and San Francisco is unwilling to cover part of that cost.
“The Yankees are among several teams interested in two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell, but the Giants are telling teams they don’t want to cover any portion of Snell’s $30 million option for 2025,” Heyman wrote.
Snell, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, has pitched 47.2 innings this season, allowing 5 home runs and recording 61 strikeouts.
