MLB trade rumors: Yankees' Brian Cashman shopping for bat with Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez out?

by Felix Pantaleón

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman could be seeking to improve the lineup as right fielder Aaron Judge (fractured wrist) and catcher Gary Sanchez (groin strain) sit on the disabled list with the July 31, 2018 (7/31/18) non-waiver trade deadline approaching.

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The clock is ticking.

But there’s still time for the Yankees to make a move.

With the MLB trade deadline approaching — it’s at 4 p.m. Tuesday — Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is trying to upgrade his offense, according to Fancred’s Jon Heyman.

Yankees looking for an extra hitter/OF with judge (and Sanchez and Frazier) out. Probably prefer a righty hitter. But the grandy man @cgrand3 could be a potential fit.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 30, 2018

The lineup is facing hard times. Aaron Judge (fractured wrist), Gary Sanchez (groin strain) and Clint Frazier (post-concussion symptoms) are on the disabled list.

The Yankees have already bolstered their pitching staff, adding reliever Zach Britton from the Orioles and starting pitcher J.A. Happ from the Blue Jays.

Braves scout Sonny Gray

Here are some Yankees notes, via the team’s PR staff:

The Yankees went 3-1 vs. Kansas City to begin their six-game homestand…earned their first series win since 7/6-8 at Toronto (2-1); had been 0-1-3 in their previous four series…remain 5.5G behind Boston in the AL East…are 23-10 in day games…tomorrow’s off day is their last scheduled off day until 8/20 (will play 20 games in 20 days beginning Tuesday vs. Baltimore)…have won consecutive games for the first time since 7/11 at Baltimore and 7/12 at Cleveland.
At 67-37, are 30G over .500, matching their season high (also 61-31 on 7/12 and 62-32 on 7/14).
Are 16-5 (.762) vs. the AL Central this season…are 20-5 in their last 25G vs. AL Central teams (since 9/18/17)…went 5-2 vs. the Royals in 2018, winning their fourth straight season series.
Are 37-15 (.712) at Yankee Stadium this season, including 32-10 since 4/21…have not lost any of their last 15 home series, going 12-0-3.
Yankees batters extended their streak to eight consecutive home games with at least 5R, tied for their longest streak at the current Yankee Stadium (third time, also 7/13-28/12 and 5/17-31/10)…is tied for the second-longest streak in the Majors this season (Baltimore-9G, 4/26-5/12; Cleveland-8G, 4/30-5/13)…have scored 63R in 10 home games in July.
Homered in all 4G of this series (5HR total) after hitting just 1HR in their previous 5G.
Scored multiple first-inning runs in 3-of-4 games in this series (also wins on Thursday and Saturday-G2)…have scored at least 1R in the first inning of 14-of-21 wins since 6/18.
Have eight sacrifice flies in the last six games, and a Major League-leading 41 this season.

Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.

PROSPECT SPOTLIGHT

Tyler Nunez, a C from Lake Nona HS, is a 6'2 190lb athletic catcher who provides strength with the bat and glove. During BP, Tyler stuck with a middle of the field approach while staying on a line. He impacted the ball well with his compact and direct path, T90EV. He showed off his real athleticism behind the plate by posting a 2.04 pop time while staying around the bag on every throw. He is a good looking athletic uncommitted catcher to keep an eye on.