The New York Yankees have stumbled a bit since the end of June. After holding a commanding lead in the American League East, they now face a three-game deficit.
They still lead the AL Wild Card race, but are only one game ahead of the Boston Red Sox, who hold the second spot. New York has some areas to upgrade if they want to make a return trip to the World Series.
New York needs a starting pitcher to boost its rotation with Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt out. There will be arms available for them to choose from.
Adam Wells of Bleacher Report recently followed up a report from ESPN’s Buster Olney that the Yankees are a potential fit for Kansas City Royals right-hander Seth Lugo.
“Per ESPN’s Buster Olney, one talent evaluator suggested either the New York Yankees or New York Mets as a “natural target” for the 2024 AL Cy Young runner-up,” Wells wrote.
“The Yankees have been hit hard with injuries to their rotation already this season. Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt are out for the year after undergoing Tommy John surgery.”
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Lugo, 35, is putting together another strong season with Kansas City. He is 6-5 with a 2.94 ERA and 2.8 WAR in 18 starts with the Royals this season.
He has a player option for 2026, but he is expected to decline that option and hit the free agent market, making him a pure rental starter.
Rental pitching comes in high demand at the trade deadline, so the Yankees would have to pay up with a few key prospects. But Lugo would certainly boost their rotation and give them another front-end starter to go with Max Fried, Luis Gil and Carlos Rodon.
It will be interesting to see if the Yankees choose to target the former All-Star in a potential trade.
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