If you told me back on March 28th, that the Yankees would be the best team in all of baseball 60 games into the season, I would have called you insane. Curious about the reason why I am specifically referring to March 28th? This is the day that the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, Gerrit Cole, hit the IL for right elbow discomfort. There might not be a worse feeling in all of baseball as a fan than when the ace pitcher on the team you support has elbow discomfort in their throwing arm.
Miraculously the troops have since rallied around Cole and have become a force to reckon with. The three-headed monster of Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, and Giancarlo Stanton is simply not fair when they are clicking on all cylinders. Even with the bats being as electric as they have been the real story here is the pitching. Somehow without Gerrit Cole, the Yankees have arguably assembled the best pitching staff in all of baseball. Currently, the staff owns the most wins (43), the best ERA (2.75), 2nd most saves (22), 7th in SO (535), 6th in Quality Starts (29), and the 2nd best WHIP (1.11). This is an opposing manager’s nightmare as they dominate the entire game from any of the starting arms to the last out mainly coming from Mr. Clay Holmes (17 saves in 2024).
The even better news is Gerrit Cole looked sharp in his 1st rehab start at Double-A. I expect Cole to be back before July but the Yankees do not need to rush him. Sitting at 43-19 the Yanks sit atop all of baseball and are currently 2.5 games up in the American League East on Baltimore who seems to be the only real contender in the division this year. I know we are only a third of the way through the season and I will probably eat those words at some point but the numbers don’t lie. The Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Rays are all below .500 and are at least 12.5 games back or more at this point. I think the Red Sox are still a year or so away so they won’t be aggressive at the deadline to compete but they look promising moving forward. The Blue Jays have the label “sellers” written all over them as the core there isn’t getting the job done and may have missed their window. The Rays always find a way to stay competitive but I think their magic is not going to be as apparent this year as they are too young and banged up to make a serious run. Plus they will probably be sellers as well and beef up the farm system to prepare for the much-anticipated comeback of their ace Shane McClanahan sometime next season.
Having things go this well in New York with Cole out is almost too good to be true. That is why I ask the question…will the Yankees be aggressive at the deadline? Most teams go out and acquire talent where it is lacking at the trade deadline to make a run at a World Series trophy. The problem here is I do not think the Yankees lack much to win in October. Jasson Dominguez might be the best OF depth piece a team could add at this point as he is also recovering from Tommy John and is expected back soon. Rizzo is signed through 2025, LeMahieu signed through 2026, Torres is a UFA in 2025 (no long-term control) and Volpe is not going anywhere! I don’t see the Yankees making a huge move for a Catcher so that means if they are going to make a move for the hitting side it will most likely be a depth piece or an aging veteran getting their last shot at glory as a bench bat.
That leaves it to the pitching side of the house where their rotation has been nothing short of spectacular. I would love to see the Yankees acquire another starter (if the price is right) or a high-leverage reliever (asking price within reason) to ensure the rotation and bullpen as they approach the deadline on July 30th. Kind of scary that the deadline is now a little less than 2 months away. Will the Yankees be active or passive at the deadline? Time will tell but for now, General Manager - Brian Cashman is sitting in the driver's seat as the team he put together is a juggernaut.