Yankees: Trade deadline passes, but more moves still probable

If you’re like me, you spent at least some portion of July 31st watching the flurry of trade deadline activity unfold. As the hours passed, fans watched the Yankees sit back, having already traded for Lance Lynn, Luke Voit, J.A. Happ and Zach Britton.

The deadline passed and the Yankees were one of the teams that did not make a single trade on July 31. Some rumors linked the team to a bat in the wake of Aaron Judge’s injury. But the Bombers stood pat. Where will the team go from here?

The Yankees could still make a move. Every year, several impact trades in August affect the baseball landscape. Last year’s Justin Verlander trade comes to mind. The Astros acquired the star pitcher on the absolute deadline for postseason eligibility, and he helped carry the club to their first world championship.

The Yankees are a long shot to make a similar move this year because there just aren’t any Verlander-level players out there. But general manager Brian Cashman will likely do his due diligence in scouting the market for a player that could help narrow the gap between this club and the Red Sox.

One name to watch is Andrew McCutchen. This trade season, the veteran outfielder has been linked to contenders, though the Giants held onto him, as the deadline passed without the former Pirate changing teams.

As recently as July 31, the Yankees reportedly had soft interest in the former All-Star outfielder. Depending on how the next few games go, especially the week-ending series with Boston, the Bombers may revisit adding McCutchen to their outfield.

The Giants, who are under .500 and look unlikely to make the playoffs, were quiet at the deadline. The club reportedly tried to add, rather than subtract, some pieces but ultimately fell short. Having won three straight, the Giants may follow through with that decision to hold on to their players.

However, if San Francisco’s fortunes change, they could become one of the clubs that opt to sell off some players in August.