After hitting his 39th home run of the season, Aaron Judge appeared to send another one out of the park, this time toward the New York Yankees’ management offices.
When asked if he hopes the Yankees make more deals before the trade deadline, Judge responded with 14 words: “Yes.”
“Other teams are making moves, so hopefully we will, too,” Judge told reporters on July 29. “We’ll see.”
Judge homered twice in a 14-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on the eve of the trade deadline. He found the perfect time to get his word out there.
New York has not been active, but they have not been dormant by any means. They acquired Jazz Chisholm Jr. for three prospects, and the immediate returns have been outstanding.
Chisholm hit two home runs in the same game against the Phillies, using Judge’s bat for the second.
The judge informed reporters that was Chisholm’s idea.
“That was all him,” Judge remarked. “He was holding it, taking some practice swings, and then glanced at me and said, ‘Hey, do you mind?’ I replied, ‘No, go for it. Just make sure you use it. And he certainly did. So I believe I earn half a homer for that one.”
As of July 29, the Yankees are 63-45, a half-game behind the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East lead.
Jon Heyman Shoots Down Jack Flaherty Chances
According to Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman of The New York Post, Jack Flaherty was removed from the roster on July 29, just hours before his planned start against the Cleveland Guardians.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, New York was in talks with the Detroit Tigers about the right-handed starter.
“The New York Yankees are in extensive trade talks for Tigers starter Jack Flaherty, and plan to trade starter Nestor Cortes if they land Flaherty,” Nightengale posted to Twitter on July 29th.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post dismissed the Yankees’ prospects of landing the righty starter.
“There were also some rumblings the Yankees were interested in top right-handed rental Jack Flaherty,” Heyman tweeted on July 29. “However, things didn’t look overwhelmingly positive on that front, either.”
Flaherty is 7-5 in his 18 starts this season. He has pitched 106.2 innings, surrendered 15 home runs, and struck out 133 batters as of July 29.
Yankees Urged To Make ‘Major Rotation Move’
In the same column for the New York Post, Heyman urged New York to make another deal. But this time, it’s for the starting arm.
“They (Yankees) need to bolster their rotation in a big way, not just because the Orioles (and Dodgers) are the most likely team to do so, but also because they are just not good enough,” according to Heyman. “I understand it. The cost of conducting business is not only high, but outstanding. But now is the moment to act.
Blake Snell is a potential possibility after the San Francisco Giants informed teams that they will punt in 2024.
The only caveat? He has a $30 million player option for 2025, and San Francisco is not willing to split the cost.
“The Yankees are one of a half-dozen teams to check in on two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell, but the Giants are telling teams they don’t want to pay down Snell’s $30 million 2025 player option,” Heyman pointed out.
Snell is the current NL Cy Young winner. This season, he has pitched 47.2 innings, given up 5 home runs, and struck out 61 batters.
