The Yankees believe they are probably covered at first base with DJ LeMahieu and second with Jon Berti, Oswaldo Peraza and LeMahieu (who can play both spots) if either Gleyber Torres or Anthony Rizzo doesn’t regain his usual form.
In any case, the Yanks are disinclined to go for a big-money 1B such as Pete Alonso at the deadline and seem focused on the bullpen (and maybe another starter — though other teams are much needier there, especially with ace Gerrit Cole expected back in a week or so.)
In addition to Marlins shutdown reliever Tanner Scott, the Yankees are believed to like White Sox reliever-turned starter Garrett Crochet, who leads the AL with 103 K’s but has an innings concern (he’s already pitched 21 ¹/₃ more innings than ever before).
Scott will go, and is believed to be drawing interest from the Phillies, Orioles, Dodgers and others.
The closer market isn’t bad with five viable options possibly hitting the block: Scott, Kenley Jansen, Mason Miller, Carlos Estevez and Michael Kopech.
Teams are being told the A’s have no great desire to trade Miller, but interested teams are hopeful Oakland may re-evaluate after the All-Star break.
Miller’s value, with 16.5 K’s per 9 and 103.7 mph velocity, is enormous. The six years of control is also huge.
Rivals suggest Oakland should do it since they believe the A’s are multiple years away, there’s risk with hard-throwing pitchers and the fans have bigger things to worry about. But so far, the A’s aren’t going for it.
The belief is that the Rays and Red Sox — buried in a division with two dominant teams and having realistic front offices — may well sell. That would aid the starting pitching market, as Nick Pivetta and Zach Eflin, among others, would be coveted.
As they’ve said publicly. the Astros are planning not to be a seller but a buyer. Word is they’d like to acquire two starting pitchers, if possible.
Jeff McNeil looks like a change-of-scenery guy but the Mets understand McNeil’s trade value is nil now and are talking to him about a plan to help him regain his form.
