2025 New York Yankees crew - ny.post.com
While the New York Yankees stand at (53-43) and are two games behind the Toronto Blue Jays (55-41) for first place in the AL East division, there is still plenty of baseball left to play. If the Yankees can plug away in the second half of the season, they can bring their team once again to the World Series.
The Bombers led the division for most of the first half, until Toronto swept them in a four-game series at the Rogers Centre in the beginning of July. Let’s see if the Yankees can turn the tide and get down to business in the second half of the season and improve on these five crucial challenges.
5 Intriguing Headlines Facing the New York Yankees
New York Yankees Play within their Division
It sounds easy, but the Yankees need to improve their play against the rest of their AL East rivals if they want to win back-to-back AL East Titles. They are only sitting at 10-16 in AL East play, but nevertheless, the Yankees were once seven games ahead of the Blue Jays back in May.
The Yanks have 26 games left facing AL East opponents, but they dug themselves into a tougher hole to climb out of. It didn’t help that they had a relatively easy schedule in June and couldn’t capitalize on the opportunities when Toronto and Boston did.
If the Yankees really want to win their second straight AL East title, they have to remember, “Actions speak louder than words.”
What to do about Pitching Injuries
Since both Gerrit Cole and Clark Schmidt had to have season-ending Tommy John surgery, the Yankees keep making do with a thinning and fading starting rotation. Rookie flamethrower Cam Schlitter had a fantastic debut and already looks the part of an MLB starting pitcher.
Will Warren has also been a dependable reliever despite his tendency to throw an abundance of pitches in the first inning. Luis Gil has been out since the beginning of spring training, but is now making rehab starts where they’re being extra cautious with him so he can make a fully healthy return, expected in August.
While all these pitchers have been solid regular-season performers, the only one with postseason mound experience is none other than Gill. If the Yankees want to take a gamble and look for two other postseason options, they can consider Seth Lugo or Sandy Alcantara.
Upgrade at Third Base?
The Bombers also need to upgrade at their third base position and have the willpower to make it happen. While Oswald Peraza has done a solid job in the field since replacing the DFA’d DJ LeMahieu, he has a horrendous .149 batting average and is not a permanent fixture there.
If Eugenio Suarez (Arizona Diamondbacks) is on the market, the Yankees should look at bringing him in. He’s excellent in the field, as is Peraza, but he’s a much better power hitter, belting 31 home runs, 78 RBIs, and is batting .250. The good news is he would be another valuable player, much like how Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger have been.
Another player they could look at is the Los Angeles Angels’ third baseman, Yoan Moncada, who has an .805 OPS and could come via a reasonable trade without having to give up a Spencer Jones or a George Lombard Jr, both of whom are stud prospects in the Yanks’ farm system right now.
Short Stop Concerns
It’s only his third MLB season, but shortstop Anthony Volpe has hit the most adversity this year. When Volpe is hot at the plate, he’s one of the game’s best hitting shortstops, but when he’s in a slump, it’s noticeable, too.
The Bomber’s shortstop since May 29, in 41 games, has been batting .169 with a .535 OPS. He is also leading the AL with 11 errors. Volpe has faced considerable criticism from the very vocal New York fans and the Media.
Yes, the Yankees have had unbelievable shortstop play over many years of their franchise. Derek Jeter is without a doubt the greatest to play the position for their team.
Now, though, when the Yankees tend to scout young shortstop prospects, we New York Yankees fans want to compare them to Jeter automatically. That’s what we’re trying to do now with Volpe, and the reality is, we should not be comparing him to Jeter or anyone else.
Volpe has performed well over the last three years, considering he made the Yankees roster out of spring training in 2023 without ever appearing in the Minors. Even Jeter had to play in AA ball.
So, when Cashman keeps defending Volpe in his press conferences, let’s hope Volpe regroups and has a better second half of the MLB season.
What to do at the Trade Deadline
The MLB will start the second half of the season with two weeks of nonstop baseball, and on July 31, it will be the league’s trade deadline. The Yankees will target starting and relief pitching, a third baseman, and perhaps a right-handed-hitting outfielder.
While teams don’t always get everything on their list, the Yankees should prioritize pitching, as that always comes before anything else. GM Brian Cashman understands the Yankees’ desire to be buyers, but they also need valid trade partners to make these deals a reality.
Prospect Lombard Jr. is definitely untouchable, but they still would like to ship some of their lower-end prospects like Peraza and Vivas, but it must be at the right price for the type of veteran free agent they want.
After over 26 years on the job, Cashman will take any trade request, as he did last year when he acquired Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Mark Leiter Jr. in the 2024 deadline.
Where to go from here?
The New York Yankees begin their second half of the season on Friday, July 18, against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park, intending to win their second straight AL East title and the 2025 World Series. Whether they will run it back with the current roster or make an upgrade at the trade deadline, they are poised to finish the season strong.
