A former general manager has identified the Yankees as the top trade deadline buyer, citing their 42-19 record and solid postseason position. However, if their performance doesn’t improve, two veteran infielders may not make the postseason roster.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic, a former General Manager for the Nationals and Reds, suggested that league insiders see second baseman Gleyber Torres and first baseman Anthony Rizzo as players who need to improve to avoid being sold before the July 30 deadline.
Bowden, the former Washington Nationals and Cincinnati Reds general manager, tweeted on Monday that the Yankees’ right side of the infield had underperformed thus far, and that area would be prioritized for trade upgrades.
While the Yankees’ offense leads the league with a 123 wRC+ and the third-most runs scored, Torres and Rizzo have underperformed. Torres has an 81 OPS+ with a.230/.308/.324 line, four home runs, and 16 RBIs. Rizzo has an 87 OPS+, hitting.240/.301/.360 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs. Trading long-term lineup staples like Torres and Rizzo would be surprising, but the Yankees’ excellent position allows them to address these flaws with potential upgrades.
The notion of dealing important players like the 27-year-old Torres and the 34-year-old Rizzo may seem surprising, but the Yankees’ outstanding record gives them the flexibility to seek upgrades over crucial guys who are having difficult seasons.
Torres may be feeling the strain of a contract year before potentially approaching free agency. Meanwhile, Rizzo, who earns $17 million with a 2025 club option that the Yankees may not exercise, shows symptoms that aging is impacting his output.
