Why Yankees Should Go ALL IN
AP Photo/Ashley Landis
It’s never just about making the playoffs in the Bronx it’s all about the next championship. The Yankees are focused on winning World Series, after an up-and-down first half, the Yankees are right in the mix for a wild card spot in the American League, with the AL being wide open with the Rays struggling down the stretch of the first half and no other team looking like a super powerhouse the Yankees can be right there in the mix in the end as they always are, being one game out of the last wild card spot they are in prime position with a few moves and the health of their captain. All the stars from Ohtani, Arenado, and Soto look to be available at the deadline in Soto’s case, we would have to see how the Padres start the second half off, the Yankees have a few ways to go, but I believe that with Cole, Judge, Stanton, and Rodon all being in their prime and ready to compete the Yankees need to strike while the iron is hot and while the American League is as wide open as it is. A Yankees lineup that is 28th in the league in batting average only in front of two teams, the Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics, is not good company to be with, but getting bats that are reliable and can rise to the occasion is a must, and adding a middle of the lineup bat is key to getting number 28.
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Nolan Arenado makes the most sense to me as the Yankees need a sure third baseman as DJ LeMahieu is having a down year, and Josh Donaldson seems to be on the back end of his career. Nolan seems to be the perfect guy to add to the Yankees lineup, and with his huge contract, the prospect haul would not be nearly as much as if they trade for a player like Ohtani or Soto, which a trade for him would almost certainly have to include Yankees prospect Jasson Dominguez who the Yankees have been reluctant to trade before. Arenado is an offensive force who is a defensive master, and adding him to the middle of the Yankees lineup would give them another reliable bat which has been a huge problem for the Yankees this year, and Nolan would help ease some of those issues.
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The Yankees should strongly consider trading for Juan Soto due to his exceptional talent and potential. Soto is widely regarded as one of the best players in baseball, possessing a combination of power, discipline, and overall offensive prowess. At just a young age, he has already established himself as an elite hitter with the ability to consistently get on base and drive in runs. Juan Soto is only 24, so he has a long road for growth ahead of him, which is why it makes him even more of an incredibly valuable trade target, and his addition to the team would significantly enhance their chances of competing for championships. Trading for Soto would certainly have to include some of the prospects the Yankees were against trading, but he is a once-in-a-generation talent that it would be more than worth it to do to help that lineup get back to standards.
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While we are on the talks of generational talents, we have the one and only Shohei Ohtani, who is one-of-one and can’t be replicated. Trading prospects for Ohtani would be worthwhile due to the unique skill set and immediate impact he brings to a team. Ohtani has already proven himself as a dominant pitcher and a formidable hitter in his young career. By acquiring him, the Yankees are getting an established talent who can immediately contribute at a high level. Additionally, Ohtani's marketability and fan appeal can bring significant commercial benefits to the organization. While prospects can show promise for the future, Ohtani represents a proven talent who can elevate a team's performance and increase its chances of success in the present. Trading prospects for him would be an amazing move to strengthen the rotation and the lineup and maximize its potential for success. The Yankees have some decisions to make, and my choice would be to put all the chips in the middle and go all in while the American League is up for grabs.
