New York Yankees Editorial: Do The Yankees Need To Respond To Royals Moves?

The New York Yankees enter play Wednesday with the second-best record in the American League, four games behind the league leading Kansas City Royals.  Looking to upgrade their roster for October, the Royals have already added Johnny Cueto and Ben Zobrist.  The Yankees have yet to make any moves, and, as Jason covered, GM Brian Cashman has already said there’s a possibility no trades will be made.

The Yankees remain committed to their future, and for good reason, as the organization is finally getting positive production from their farm system.  The problem, however, is that they can remain committed to that future, and still improve their chances of winning in 2015.  Cashman has reportedly stated four prospects are “untouchable”:

Using the trades that have been made as a basis, it is likely that the Yankees can upgrade the roster for the postseason without giving up any of those four prospects.  The Yankees roster is built to win now, consisting of many aging veterans, who are currently healthy and contributing.  The team is playing great baseball, and Cashman should look to improve their chances of winning it all, while they still can.

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If they can make a move for David Price or Jeff Samardzija for Ivan Nova and second-level prospects, something Joel Sherman suggested, then why not?  Prospects are great, but most don’t pan out, but Price and Samardzija are proven talents, and even though both are free agents following 2015, while Nova won’t hit free agency until a year later, the Yankees have the means to retain either pitcher.  Sherman even suggests the Yankees could part with Nathan Eovaldi or Adam Warren in this hypothetical scenario.

For players such as Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, and especially Carlos Beltran, who, despite all of his October heroics, has never won a World Series, something he joined the Yankees hoping to do, this could be the last chance to seriously contend for a title.  While the future should not be jeopardized, Cashman owes it to the players on the roster to make some type of upgrade.

Although the Toronto Blue Jays trade for Troy Tulowitzki doesn’t force the Yankees hand, as it likely won’t be a difference maker in this season’s division race, the Royals, Angels, and Astros have all made moves to impact the title chase, which should always be the ultimate goal.  As things stand, the Yankees will likely have to go through some combination of two of these teams to reach the World Series.

The Yankees might not need a blockbuster, but this isn’t a roster without holes.  Finding a bullpen option would be great, especially after Chris Capuano‘s poor spot start on Tuesday, which could see him DFA’d.  Another starter would also help, as outside of CC Sabathia, the Yankees rotation doesn’t have much postseason experience, and Sabathia might not even start a game in October.  Replacing Stephen Drew couldn’t hurt.

While it seems likely that the Yankees will reach the postseason for the first time since 2012, which is an improvement of its own, that should not be enough, for the organization or the fans.  A blockbuster move might not be necessary, but adding depth, and experience will be.  The Yankees should not stand pat, and hope for the best.

What do you think Yankees fans?  After watching all of their likely October opponents improve their rosters over the past week, should the Yankees attempt to make a blockbuster deal, make minor roster upgrades, or simply stand pat before Friday’s trade deadline?  Let us know below.