THE YANKEES CAN'T HIDE BEHIND "WE TRIED" ANYMORE

The Yankees are out of excuses.

Every July, Brian Cashman talks about being aggressive. Every August, fans are left convincing themselves that another collection of "solid depth pieces" was somehow enough. It never is.

This deadline can't end with the Yankees adding another spare part while the contenders around them land impact players.

If the Yankees are serious about winning in 2026, Mason Miller should be at the top of their list.

Miller isn't just another reliever. He's one of the most dominant arms in baseball, routinely blowing hitters away with a fastball that averages over 101 mph and reaches 104. He's the type of pitcher who shortens postseason games and changes an entire October.

The problem? San Diego knows exactly what he's worth.

The Padres reportedly want a package that starts with top prospect Dax Kilby, and it likely wouldn't stop there. Jasson Domínguez could be part of the conversation, along with major league-ready starter Will Warren and one of the Yankees' premium pitching prospects like Ben Hess or Carlos Lagrange.

That's a steep price.

So what? Cashman's job is to negotiate and figure out what's best for them too. So, do your job!

Championships aren't won by protecting every prospect. They're won by identifying elite talent and paying what it takes to get it.

The Yankees have developed a frustrating habit of treating the trade deadline like a bargain hunt. While other contenders swing for stars, the Yankees too often settle for role players and then spend the winter explaining why the market "just didn't line up." No more excuses.

Fans don't want another press conference about how the Yankees were "in on" everybody.

Nobody hangs banners for almost making a trade.

If the front office believes this roster has a real chance to win a World Series, then prove it. Stop collecting complementary pieces. Stop worrying about losing every prospect. Make a deal, negotiate the right players. Fans are tired of this front office. We want to win.

Go get the player who actually moves the needle!

Because if this deadline ends with another round of "we tried," don't expect anyone in the Bronx to applaud the effort.

So tired of the hurry up and wait.

THE THIRD BASE HOLE IS JUST A MINOR SETBACK, NOT DEFCON 1

Normally, when we toss around trade ideas, there’s at least a whiff of logic involved—something that benefits both teams. But this latest proposal? This might be the most absurd, caffeine-fueled fever dream in the history of trade speculation.

Let’s unpack the madness.

ClutchPoints floated the idea that the Yankees should send George Lombard Jr, Spencer Jones, and Ben Hess to the Blue Jays for… Bo Bichette. Yes, the same Bichette who is a solid athlete, a two-time All-Star, and currently slashing a respectable .288/.335/.420—but who’s also on an expiring deal and would need to change positions to even fit on the Yankees' roster.

This is less a trade proposal and more of a cry for help.

Lombard is the future of the Yankees infield. Jones is a potential star outfielder. And Hess? Another live arm with serious upside. Giving all that up for a rental shortstop with declining power and a soon-to-be-monstrous price tag is like trading your Apple stock for a handful of magic beans.

Yes, the Yankees have a hole at third base. No, it’s not the end of the world. Oswald Peraza and Jorbit Vivas can hold the fort while Oswaldo Cabrera recovers. It’s not ideal, but it’s also not DEFCON 1. Let’s stop pretending the Bronx is burning. Also, by the way, with DJ LeMahieu playing well, by the time Jazz Chisholm comes back, DJ will just move to third. Easy Peasy.

And can we cool it with the clickbait? Back in the day, trade rumors had a whiff of credibility. Now? Half the suggestions online feel like they're made up. Like someone skimmed a depth chart.

Bo Bichette is a good player. No disrespect. But trading the entire farm system for him on a rental by the trade deadline? That’s not team-building—that’s fantasy baseball after three beers and a dare.

To ClutchPoints: we’re calling BS. Love you guys, but let’s aim higher. Or at least, let’s aim for realism. That's called journalism.

COULD THE YANKEES UPGRADE THEIR PITCHING BY TRADING BEN HESS?

Interesting, but you're asking me, for who and... who's Ben Hess again? I get it.

 

Yankees fans and the media that follow them are constantly exploring ways to improve the team’s competitiveness. Offensively, the Yankees have been outstanding, and last night’s game showcased strong pitching performances from Max Fried and Luke Weaver. Still, there's a growing concern that the Yankees' pitching staff won't hold up as the season progresses. Relying on offensive firepower alone isn't sustainable—it’s just the reality.

Take Jazz Chisholm, for example. He’s now sidelined for 4–6 weeks, a reminder of how quickly things can change. Aaron Judge is having a phenomenal season, and while I admire what he's doing, it's hard to believe he can maintain this level of production all year long. My point is sooner, or later things break down and that's why pitching is so important.

That brings us to the idea of adding pitching depth. Tyler Anderson of the Los Angeles Angels is reportedly on the trade block. A veteran lefty with a 2.67 ERA over six starts, Anderson has been impressive, but since he's entering free agency after the season, he likely wouldn’t require a major prospect haul in return.

The possibility of an Anderson trade is real—MLB Network’s Greg Amsinger even listed him among the top trade candidates this year. If the Yankees pursue a starting pitcher, they might need to part with some decent prospects. ESPN recently discussed possible trade assets and highlighted Ben Hess, the Yankees' first-round pick last year, as a potential chip. David Schoenfield wrote:

“No Gerrit Cole. Luis Gil is working his way back from a lat issue. Carlos Carrasco and Marcus Stroman haven’t been reliable. Clarke Schmidt just returned, but the rotation could definitely use a boost. Trading top prospect George Lombard Jr. seems unlikely, and Spencer Jones' value has dipped. So, a couple of pitchers make more sense. Warren has major league experience and could help right away. Hess, though further from the majors, may offer more upside.”

In 2021, Hess was recognized as Illinois' top high school baseball prospect, but instead of turning pro, he chose to play for Alabama. Injuries sidelined him at times during his first two collegiate seasons, but he remained healthy throughout 2024, recording a 5.80 ERA while striking out 35 percent of opposing batters. His talent earned him a place in Crimson Tide history as the program’s third-ever first-round draft pick, joining Joe Vitiello and Taylor Tankersley. Selected 26th overall, he secured a $2,747,500 signing bonus and is set to make his professional debut this season.

It’s an intriguing scenario, but personally, I just don’t see it happening.