Brian Cashman is not concerned. The New York Yankees were just swept by the Toronto Blue Jays as their offense went cold, shortening their lead in the American League East. After making very little impact at the trade deadline, teams that did make moves are suddenly excelling, something shown by the Blue Jays. Will the pressure to improve the roster force Cashman into a last-minute trade at the August waiver deadline?
The Yankees were linked to several trades at the deadline including big names like Cole Hamels, Ben Zobrist and David Price. Instead the team acquired Dustin Ackley who immediately fell to the disabled list. As a result, New York's offense was non-existent over the weekend, but Cashman is not ready to hit the panic button just yet.
"We've never assumed anything, so I wouldn't say there's any alarm going off," Cashman said, via Newsday.com. "We've not accomplished anything. Our efforts haven't changed, there's nothing new and different. You wake up every day trying to win that day's game, trying to improve the club the best you can, whether it's outside or inside. Most recently, all our improvements have come from within; it's as simple as that. There's no alarm going off because you know there is no presumption of anything prior. We are always trying to improve the club."
There is a chance that the Yankees add another bat if fans listen to the trade rumors. According to FOX Sports, the Philadelphia Phillies have placed Chase Utley on the waiver, a player the Yankees could use to help with the struggles of Stephen Drew and Brendan Ryan. They are eyeing Martin Prado for the same purpose. The Yankees are not looking to give up a lot to get a rental in return, but if that player were to help with a late push for the postseason, Cashman might take the deal.
Is a pitcher still needed? Cashman said he was very encouraged by the progress of Luis Severino and the rise of CC Sabathia which could push away any interest in starting pitchers. James Shields, Ian Kennedy and Jeff Samardzija could all be available at the moment, but the Yankees will not give up a lot to get them. Instead, Cashman likes in-house options Adam Warren and Bryan Mitchell to help out.
"We've toyed with, 'Do you send Mitchell down to get him a spot start to line up [for the rotation]?" Cashman said. "It's going to come off the 25-man roster. I think the perception currently is we should have added pitching, but yet we're pitching great. Our offense has gotten cold right now and our offense has been spectacular all year and put us, along with our pitching, in the position we're in. But we've hit a little bit of a cold streak."
