The New York Yankees have been in control of the American League East. However, they may need some more pitching help if they want to make it to the World Series.
The Yankees’ original plan was to have Gerrit Cole and Max Fried atop their rotation. However, Cole will miss the entire season. The Yankees have Luis Gil, but he is still working his way back from a lat strain. Despite that, the Yankees’ rotation has performed well. Ryan Yarbrough and Carlos Rodón have pitched well behind Fried, but the Yankees could still use another arm to really solidify their chances in October.
The Atlanta Braves are not destined to be sellers just yet, but could be headed in that direction. They are 27-33 and 11 games out of the division lead. If they do decide to be sellers, Newsweek’s Andrew Wright suggested the Yankees trade for Chris Sale.
“The fit with New York is an intriguing one, as the Yankees have the ninth-best team ERA in the majors at 3.58, but some of the starters have struggled of late,” wrote Wright. “Both Will Warren (5.19 ERA) and Clarke Schmidt (4.04 ERA) feel very replaceable and adding Sale to that rotation could give New York three of the top five left-handed pitchers in baseball.
“Sale could also return to the AL East, a division he spent six years in as a part of the Boston Red Sox. He enjoyed success in Boston, pitching to a 3.27 ERA across six seasons. With both the Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays beginning to gain a little ground in the divisional race, now could be the time for New York to make a move.”
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Sale won the National League Cy Young Award last season. He is playing well this year and has a club option for next season. The Braves would have to be out of realistic striking distance of a Wild Card spot before they decide to sell. However, Sale could be one of the most likely players to go if they do.
The Yankees currently have the second-best record in the American League. Adding Sale for a postseason run could help them get past the Detroit Tigers, who are firing on all cylinders.
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