Author: MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games

After a 3-1 series victory over the Pirates, the Milwaukee Brewers turn their attention to their western border and welcome the Minnesota Twins to town for a three-day weekend set. The Twins, despite low external expectations before the season, are hanging around in the American League playoff race, but they’re coming off of a series in which they lost two of three to the lowly Kansas City Royals.

Minnesota’s lineup is not the issue. This group boasts plenty of punch, even with their central star, Byron Buxton, on the injured list; the Twins are just five runs behind the White Sox for most runs in the American League this season (though the top seven teams in runs scored are all in the NL, so Minnesota is just 10th overall). The Twins’ weakness this season has been on the pitching side, especially in the bullpen, though they made a couple of moves to shore up that unit at the trade deadline with deals that brought in relievers Jeff Hoffman, AJ Minter, Tommy Nance, and starter Dean Kremer.

Tonight, the Twins will throw righty Zebby Matthews, freshly recalled from Triple-A St. Paul in the wake of Joe Ryan’s glute injury and subsequent IL placement. Matthews has bounced back and forth between the majors and minors this season, and will be making his 15th start for the Twins; in 81 innings in his previous 14 starts, Matthews is 4-8 with a 5.22 ERA and 5.03 FIP. Matthews doesn’t walk a ton of batters but his home runs are up quite a bit in 2026 while his strikeouts are down quite a bit, an unenviable combination.

In response, Milwaukee will pitch Shane Drohan, who makes his 13th start and 23rd appearance for the Brewers. In 88 innings overall this season, Drohan has a 3.48 ERA and impressive 3.03 FIP, but arguably his biggest contribution has been his consistency; in six starts in July, Drohan went at least 5 2/3 innings each time out, and except for one unfortunate game against the Rockies, he allowed three runs or fewer in all of them.

Jake Bauers is notably back in the lineup at first base for the Brewers after missing a couple of games with abdominal issues. This does finally enact the “move Christian Yelich down in the lineup” plan that was delayed when Bauers was scratched earlier this week, though Yelich will bat sixth tonight instead of the seventh position he was originally slated for. Also notable is that David Hamilton continues to get starts at third base against right-handed pitchers, while Joey Ortiz is on the bench for the fourth straight game. Cooper Pratt is at shortstop, with Brice Turang in his usual spot at second, while William Contreras catches and the outfield goes Jackson Chourio-Garrett Mitchell-Luis Lara from left to right.

A big note about the Twins’ lineup tonight: it’ll be the debut for the team’s #2 prospect via MLB Pipeline and their #29 prospect overall, Kaelen Culpepper. (Kaelen is not, no matter what Google’s AI tells you, related to Daunte.) Culpepper is a 23-year-old who was the Twins’ first-round draft pick in 2024 and boasts solid tools across the board. In 74 games for St. Paul this season, Culpepper hit .271/.367/.478 with 15 doubles, 14 homers, and 17 stolen bases in 20 tries. He’ll start at shorstop and bat seventh tonight, just in front of old friend Victor Caratini.

First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. on Brewers TV and the Brewers Radio Network.

Friday night at our house 🏠

📺: https://t.co/eycfmE2vgm
📻: WTMJ pic.twitter.com/sYQw85EXyB

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) August 7, 2026

Debut on deck‼️

📺 https://t.co/usGFyQCbUxpic.twitter.com/5q09ncXViL

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) August 7, 2026

New York Mets vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, August 7, 2026, 6:40 p.m. ET

The Pittsburgh Pirates are getting ready for three games set this weekend at PNC Park against the New York Mets.

This would be Mitch Keller’s turn in the rotation, but a season-ending injury with his right arm will bring Carmen Mlodzinski back into the rotation. Mlodzinski last started a game on May 25 but was moved to the bullpen for June and July. Now that the calendar has turned to August, he is back in the rotation as the team’s fifth starter.

He started against the Mets in the first series of the season back on March 29, where he pitched 4.1 innings, giving up 6 hits and 2 runs as the Pirates won 4-3 in 10 innings at Citi Field.

The Mets are giving the ball to rookie Zac Thornton, who is making his seventh start of the season. He is 2-2 with a 2.88 ERA. In his last start on August 1 against the Miami Marlins, he pitched 4.2 innings, gave up six hits, and took a 6-2 loss at home.

With Mlodzinski back in the rotation, the Pirates hope that he can help the team in a position of need with the starting rotation in a bind.

Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA

Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet Pittsburgh

Pitching Matchup: Zac Thornton (2-2, 2.88 ERA) vs. Carmen Mlodzinski (6-3, 3.15 ERA)

BD community, chime off in the comments section below for the game day thread. Enjoy!

Mets lineup

1. A.J. Ewing – CF
2. Francisco Lindor – SS
3. Bo Bichette – 3B
4. Carson Benge – LF
5. Jared Young – 1B
6. Marcus Semien – 2B
7. Brett Baty – RF
8. Jorge Polanco – DH
9. Luis Torrens – C

Zac Thornton – LHP

Pirates lineup

1. Jake Mangum – CF
2. Brandon Lowe – 2B
3. Bryan Reynolds – LF
4. Esmerlyn Valdez – RF
5. Spencer Horwitz – 1B
6. Nick Gonzales – 3B
7. Ronny Simon – DH
8. Jared Triolo – SS
9. Rafael Flores – C

Carmen Mlodzinski – RHP

Broadcast info

First pitch: 6:40pm EDT
TV: WPIX
Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2

Even with many tries, one probably would not have been able to guess the Yankees’ moves at the 2026 Trade Deadline, making evaluating them a very peculiar task. With that in mind, we asked for your help with a poll that asked you to grade the Yankees’ deadline.

Before getting into it, we wanted to thank all 240 of you who voted in this poll, with the overwhelming results pointing to some form of disappointment.

A little over two-thirds of the votes went to options C and D, the two with very distinct definitions—C highlighting the frustration with not adding a catcher when the need was obvious, while D stressed the negligent way it approached the bullpen, failing to add any significant pieces to complement this unity.

Despite having the second most home runs in the sport, the Yankees’ offense is only number 10 in wRC+. Recent struggles and injuries aside, one of its primary issues has been the absolutely horrid production from the catching position.

Yankees catchers in 2026: .191/.268/.299 – 29 RBI (lowest in baseball)

The point about Austin Wells’ missed time contributing to this putrid line loses a lot of weight when he is still the number one responsible player for it. Granted, he and the rest of the catching depth chart do find a way to provide value above replacement on the defensive side, as our good friend Michael Zeno illustrated in this late May article here. In the end, that only takes you so far.

Maybe Hunter Goodman was unattainable, and perhaps Ryan Jeffers was no longer so easily available after the Twins decided to go for it, but not to do anything at all is a bad look. The counterpoint to this is that the one team that acquired a big-name catcher in this deadline did so by paying a price that the Yankees and other buying clubs were probably right in not doing so—or at least reasonably justified. As the old saying goes, the Red Sox made the Orioles an offer they couldn’t refuse.

For those of you who voted for option D, admittedly a higher number than I expected, there is probably a consensus that the level of performance this bullpen has shown across 162 doesn’t entirely match the trust it invokes come playoff time. After all, the Yankees do have the second-lowest bullpen ERA in the sport. Not to mention the feeling with bullpens that you can always get a bit better.

While the argument with catchers may primarily lie in just how brutal the production has been this season, with relievers the focus is different: all the opportunities that the market presented, each one of them passed up by the Yankees. While The Athletic and Cashman himself claimed the report that the Yankees had offered Will Warren for Adrián Morejón was untrue, it wasn’t a shocking proposition in terms of the Yankees seeking bullpen improvement.

Thinking it over, one might be inclined to believe this proposal didn’t happen. Had the Yankees been willing to part with Warren to improve their bullpen, one would figure they would have found a way to add someone else if the Padres had closed that door. Regardless of any conversations the Yankees may or may not have had with San Diego, they chose to stand pat. Luke Weaver, A.J. Minter, Ryan Zeferjahn, Erik Miller, Morejón himself, and several other productive relievers of different levels were all dealt for various prices, and the Yankees didn’t acquire any of them.

From a broader look at this voting, the frustrations towards not adding a catcher or a reliever share a similar outlook. Had the team made a bigger splash to improve its lineup, these two frustrations might not carry the same weight. The fact that most fans probably carry reservations about the potential impact of Luis García Jr. and Heliot Ramos inevitably affects how we view the lack of additions to the bullpen and the catching position. It is all connected.

Garcia’s home run in his first game in pinstripes was a nice welcome moment, but it’ll take more for everyone to buy in. Ramos doesn’t even have that impressive 2026 track record to back a bit more optimism. Sure, both of these players are more than capable of adding further depth to this lineup, but accounting for all this team could do, all they needed to do, and all that they ultimately did—seeing this in the light of what is expected of them—the frustrations are understandable.

It might not be the most pertinent item on the agenda—one could even debate the validity of letting it dictate the voting—but pointing out a lack of ammunition to make the moves that this team ultimately needed also falls on the front office. If you require a lot of help and lack the firepower to acquire it, at least in the way you’d prefer, then something has gone wrong along the way. Not having the farm system that allows you to be aggressive is of your doing.

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These survey results are sponsored by FanDuel.

Mets interim manager Andy Green provided a few injury updates ahead of Friday's series-opening game against the Pirates in Pittsburgh on Friday.

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Juan Soto progressing

The Mets' slugger has progressed in his rehab to a point that he is now doing some baseball-related activities, but seems to be a bit away from a possible return.

"He's doing some slow baseball activity right now," the interim skipper said. "Hitting off a tee now, stuff like that. He's not at a point where he's stressing the calf at all."

Soto hasn't played since July 24, as this is the second time he's been on the shelf this season with a calf issue, this time a Grade 2 left calf strain.

In 84 games in his second season with the club, Soto has 21 home runs and 52 RBI with a .283/.408/.539 slash line for a .947 OPS (162 OPS+, 159 wRC+).

Mark Vientos taking cuts

Vientos, who sustained a fracture in his hand in early July, is expected to "hopefully" start hitting beginning on Saturday, Green said.

"He's done a ton of one-handed stuff, but hopefully, for tomorrow he starts to get some swings off the tee with two hands."

In 73 games this season, the 26-year-old has 11 home runs and 35 RBi with a .211/.256/.388 slash line for a .644 OPS (77 OPS+, 77 wRC+).

Austin Warren continues rehab at Triple-A

The right-hander made his first appearance of his rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday and got dinged for two runs on three hits with two strikeouts in one inning.

Green said Warren is scheduled to throw again on Saturday for 30 pitches or so.

The 30-year-old made 26 appearances (two as a starter) during his time with the Mets this season, pitching to a 4.63 ERA and 1.486 WHIP in 35.0 innings with 37 strikeouts and 18 walks.

Warren landed on the IL in early July with forearm tightness that had him very concerned, but an MRI revealed no ligament damage.

After taking three out of four from the Nationals, the Phillies welcome the Blue Jays to Citizens Bank Park for a three-game series.

In Friday night’s opener, the Phillies’ starter will be Zack Wheeler. Wheeler is coming off two abbreviated starts – one due to ineffectiveness, the other due to rain – and the Phillies could really use some length from him.

Taking on Toronto#RingTheBellpic.twitter.com/4Bn8uC3M9w

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 7, 2026

The Blue Jays turn to Jose Soriano. The Blue Jays acquired the righthander via trade, and this will be his first start with the team. He was 9-6 with a 3.29 ERA with the Angels.

José Soriano makes his Blue Jays debut! #BlueJays50pic.twitter.com/dfxJBMVXXK

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 7, 2026

Game time is 6:40 and will be televised locally by NBCSP.

The A’s are moving on from their general manager.

According to The Athletics Ken Rosenthal and Charlotte Varnes, the A’s are parting ways with GM David Forst after nearly 11 seasons in the role.

The team has named assistant general manager Dan Feinstein as interim GM.

“David has been an integral part of the A’s and our success for nearly three decades,” A’s owner John Fisher wrote in a statement.

“His leadership, dedication, and commitment to this team have helped shape our baseball operations department and position us for the future. We are grateful for everything David has done for our organization.”

Forst, who took over as general manager after Billy Beane was promoted to executive vice president of baseball operations after the 2015 season, has been in the A’s organization since 2000.

The 50-year-old joined as a scout before being promoted to assistant general manager in 2004, succeeding Paul DePodesta.

Forst had opportunities to leave the A’s, notably turning down interviews with the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres to stay with the team.

“It was truly an honor to spend the last 27 years with the A’s, especially the last 11 as the GM,” said Forst. “This organization is full of incredibly talented, devoted, and good people, and I am lucky to have worked alongside them for so long.”

While Forst worked as the A’s general manager, the team never made it past the ALDS, despite winning 97 games in both 2018 and 2019.

This season, the A’s have struggled to a 45-70 record that has them second to last, above only the Angels, in the American League West.

While payroll has long been an issue for the A’s, Forst saw the departure of numerous star players throughout his general manager stint, including Mason Miller, Matt Olson, Matt Chapman and Sean Murphy, making him a polarizing figure amongst A’s fans.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Brewers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

In this week’s Reacts survey, we asked fans to grade the Milwaukee Brewers’ trade deadline. The results are probably about what you’d expect:

More than two-thirds of fans gave the Brewers a “B” (39%) or a “C” (33%). Another 20% gave Milwaukee a “D”, while 5% gave an “A” and 3% gave an “F.”

As I said in my trade deadline grades earlier this week, I think the Brewers’ overall deadline sits right around that B/C threshold, specifically giving the Alexander Frias/Josiah Ragsdale for Dustin May/JoJo Romero trade a “C+” and the Mark Manfredi/Juan Martinez for Antonio Senzatela trade a “B+.” I didn’t specifically grade Milwaukee’s Friday trade of Blake Perkins/Craig Yoho for Codi Heuer/Bo Naylor, but given that the team then flipped Heuer for cash considerations at the deadline, I’d put it somewhere in the C/C- range. Overall, that means I think Milwaukee probably deserves a “C” for their overall deadline moves.

One thing I will say, though, is that the deadline has already proven to have added at least some value — Antonio Senzatela made two relief appearances earlier this week, totaling 1 1/3 scoreless innings with a strikeout and a walk, allowing no hits, while Dustin May went six strong frames in his team debut on Thursday, allowing two runs and striking out five to pick up the win.

Have something else you want to say? Keep the conversation going in the comments, and be sure to check out FanDuel Sportsbook for all your betting needs.

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Carlos Rodon has been on the injured list since June 30 with left elbow inflammation, but the Yankees starting pitcher is returning to the mound on Saturday with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The left-hander will throw close to 50 pitches in what will be his first rehab start since the injury, manager Aaron Boone told reporters before New York's series opener against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.

From there, the Yankees will decide how they want to continue with Rodon's rehab assignment. One option, with New York sporting a solid five-man staff at the moment, is to recall Rodon but have him piggyback off one of the starting pitchers' starts. The other option is to let him make another start in the minors. Either way, once Rodon returns to the big league club, Boone confirmed that he will piggyback as he continues to raise his pitch count.

"I think he’s close to 50, not quite 50 pitches tomorrow, and I think we’ll definitely, probably piggyback him at some point," Boone said. "It’s just do we have him do one more and then do the piggyback at whatever pitch count he’s at. That’s the most likely right now."

New York's remaining regular season schedule allows them the flexibility to ease Rodon back in as it doesn't have any more long stretches of games with no days off.

"We're coming up on a stretch where we've got a fair amount of off days now, really the rest of the way," Boone said. "We don't have those long stretches of games, so hopefully that's beneficial for us."

When healthy, Rodon was excellent this season. In nine starts, the left-hander is 4-2 with a 3.30 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 46.1 innings. However, he missed the first two months of the season while recovering from left elbow surgery in the offseason. It's the same elbow that experienced inflammation after his last start on June 28 that resulted in an IL stint.

The goods news is the Red Sox have won eight in a row, 26 out of 29, and 31 out of 36. The bad news is their most recent win in the bananas marathon game on Thursday night might have a poison pill embedded inside of it.

Ranger Suarez lasted just three innings on the front end of a game that went 13, which means the bullpen had to cover ten frames of relentless high leverage situations. Together, all eight men in the pen were used, and they combined to throw 166 pitches. (Not ideal.)

By itself, this is an issue, but when you combine it with the fact there’s no off day on the schedule until August 20th, and that the Sox already wanted to limit the usage of both Payton Tolle and Jake Bennett who are set to blow by career highs innings pitched, it’s sneaky alarming.

Below is a table noting the number of pitches each arm in the pen has thrown over the last nine days. (I’ve color coded days with zero pitches thrown in green and days where a guy throws more than 15 pitches in red to make things easier to spot.)

Every single player in that pen either threw more than 15 pitches last night, or has been used two games in a row. Yikes!

On top of that, there’s also talk of a potential bullpen game on Sunday to create a temporary six man rotation to limit the usage of Tolle and Bennett. However, Brayan Bello, who would be the most obvious bulk guy in a situation like that has already thrown 114 pitches over three outings the last seven days, so that option becomes problematic.

We may be in a situation where the Sox have to call up Blake Wehunt to start on Sunday if they still want to push everything back. What the hell is a Blake Wehunt? Well, he’s a pitcher who’s only made three starts in Worcester so far after spending most of the year in Portland with the Sea Dogs and would need to be added to the 40 man roster, but he is lined up to pitch Sunday, and that would give you an out to eat some innings.

Also of note following last night’s absurdity, the Red Sox made a move, optioning Greg Weissert down to Triple-A and calling up Raymond Burgos.

The #RedSox today selected LHP Raymond Burgos to the active Major League roster from Triple-A Worcester. He will wear number 79. To make room, Boston optioned RHP Greg Weissert after last night’s game against the Chicago White Sox.

— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 7, 2026

As much as some fans probably want Weissert gone, the reality is he had an option and the Sox need anybody else in that bullpen tonight to get some outs in case we get a one sided affair.

As much as any other sport, all the games in baseball are connected, and when you get a game like the Sox played last night on the front end of a long stretch with no off days in the middle of the summer, it creates a whole host of problems that will linger for several days.

My advice to Payton Tolle tonight? Throw strikes. This pen can’t take much more of a beating.

The Texas Rangers have activated lefthanded pitcher Jordan Montgomery from the 60 day injured list, the team announced today. To make room for Montgomery on the active and 40 man rosters, the Rangers have designated pitcher Nolan Kingham for assignment.

Montgomery is back in the majors after missing all of 2025 and the first part of this year due to Tommy John surgery. His 2024 campaign for the Arizona Diamondbacks, with whom he signed a two year deal as a free agent after the 2023 season, was a bad one, as he put up a 6.23 ERA in 117 innings over 21 starts and four relief appearances. Montgomery made eight rehab appearances over the past almost two months prior to being activated, putting up a 3.75 ERA in 24 innings with 21 Ks against three walks. His velocity was down during his rehab stint by about 3 mph compared to where he was in 2023, and 1.5 mph compared to his time with the D-Backs, though he has said he believes when he is back on a major league mound and the adrenaline starts flowing his velocity will tick back up.

The Rangers have said that Montgomery could be used in either a starting role or a relief role. With the rotation pretty much set as of now, Montgomery will probably be in the bullpen initially, though they could mix a start in for him during a stretch with no off days to give the rest of the rotation an extra day off.

Kingham seemed like the odd man out once Montgomery returned. The 29 year old was brought up to give the Rangers an arm in the pen who could provide length if needed, until one of the “regulars” could return. Kingham did make his major league debut during his brief time up, so that’s cool, at least. My guess is that he will clear waivers and resume his role in the Round Rock rotation.

Texas Rangers lineup for August 7, 2026 against the Baltimore Orioles: starting pitchers are Nathan Eovaldi for the Rangers and Shane Baz for the Orioles.

Texas looks to continue their winning ways after taking the final two games in their series against the Giants.

The lineup:

Pederson — DH

Langford — LF

Seager — SS

Nimmo — RF

Duran — 3B

Carter — CF

Burger — 1B

Diaz — C

Lopez — 2B

7:15 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are -143 favorites.

The Athletics have parted ways with General Manager David Forst, the team announced on Friday, Aug. 7.

The move comes as the team has a 45-70 record and is fourth in the AL West. They have lost eight straight games.

"David has been an integral part of the A's and our success for nearly three decades," team owner John Fisher said in a statement. "His leadership, dedication, and commitment to this team have helped shape our baseball operations department and position us for the future. We are grateful for everything David has done for our organization."

Forst had been with the A's organization for 27 years and was in the final year of his contract. He expressed no interest in relocating to Las Vegas in two years when the organization moves from its temporary home in Sacramento.

Forst, who had been with the organization for 27 years, also had no interest in relocating to Las Vegas in two years. https://t.co/k7RZ3Sd3iB

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 7, 2026

Assistant General Manager Dan Feinstein will take Forst's place through the end of the season as the organization looks for a permanent replacement, according to a team release.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Athletics part ways with longtime GM David Forst

As the Braves kick off a three-game series on the road against the Yankees, Ha-Seong Kim will make his return to the lineup, playing shortstop and hitting ninth.

It’ll be his first game action since June 30, not long after which he was placed on the injured list with middle finger inflammation.

Before his IL stint, he hit .068 in 73 plate appearances after a delayed start to the season due to a separate injury. This return feels like his last chance to validate the $20 million contract he was given and prove he belongs on a potential postseason roster.

With a strong left-handed pitcher in former Brave Max Fried taking the mound for the series opener, the Braves are moving Ozzie Albies up in the order. Notably, above left-hander Matt Olson, to the No. 3 spot behind just Ronald Acuña Jr. and Drake Baldwin.

Baldwin will DH Friday, giving Sean Murphy another catching start in his recent return from the IL.

The Yankees, notably without Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Cody Bellinger, will hit Ben Rice, he of the 31 homers this season, second in the batting order, and recent prospect call-up shortstop George Lombard Jr. seventh.

This will be Fried’s first career start against his former team. As such, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that the only six members of Atlanta’s roster who have faced him joined the Braves within the last two seasons.

Former National Lane Thomas has faced Fried the most, a whopping 19 times. Although it should be a favorable matchup for Thomas as a right-handed hitter against a left-handed pitcher, he’s 1-for-19 against Fried with one single, one RBI and three strikeouts.

None of the Braves who have faced Fried have had much success against him. Mike Yastrzemski and Ha-Seong Kim are both 2-for-7 (.286) to lead the way on a roster which is a combined 11-for-65 (.169) against the southpaw with two homers (one each from Jorge Mateo and Dominic Smith), five RBIs, 13 strikeouts and three walks.

Braves debutante right-hander Tyler Mahle has faced the Yankees twice, once with the Twins in 2023 and earlier this season with the Giants. He took the loss in both starts but wasn’t particularly bad either time, allowing two earned runs in each appearance (4.32 ERA) over a combined 8 1/3 innings, giving up nine total hits with 10 strikeouts and four walks.

Among current Yankees with more than two at-bats against Mahle, Paul Goldschmidt (11-for-29 for .379 average with three homers and five RBIs) and Ryan McMahon (5-for-18 with two homers and eight RBIs) lead the charge.

Overall, the active Yankees are a combined 20-for-82 (.244) with three doubles, two triples, five home runs and 17 RBIs against Mahle, striking out 24 times while walking eight.

Good afternoon everyone, it’s time to dive back into the mailbag and answer some of your questions. Remember to send in your questions for our weekly call by e-mail to pinstripealleyblog [at] gmail [dot] com.

The idiot that said, “Harper is coming” asks:How do you feel about this deadline for the Yankees?

I went into detail on the Trade Deadline a couple of hours after it wrapped up, and you can read those full thoughts here, but to give a more concise answer I think circumstances wound up hurting the Yankees but they still failed to do as much as they probably should’ve. The teams that I think lined up the best to be trade partners with the Yankees, the Padres and Twins, decided in the final days to push themselves into the buyer camp instead of the seller camp. After sitting on it for a few days, the former makes some sense relative to where they are in the field, and the asking price for trading Mason Miller clearly wasn’t being met so they might as well try to make the most of having him. Still, that blocked them out of some significant upgrades they could’ve pursued and pushed them into conversations for some backup options, which still didn’t materialize.

The failure to land a catcher at the deadline at all though, coupled with trading away a good portion of relief depth without landing a reliever, is a big miss on Brian Cashman’s part. Austin Wells had been a deadweight with the bat the entire season, and his backup options could neither outhit him nor handle the pitching staff nearly as well as he could. A backup at the very least was warranted, but instead they’ve had to settle for some minor league signings with Christian Bethancourt and the recently-added Mitch Garver to perhaps shake up the depth chart there. The bullpen became less of a need as their journeyman pieces started to go on elite runs becoming the new core of the bridge to David Bednar, but there’s still some valid concern that they’ll get worn down from overuse so getting at least one arm when so many of them got shipped out to augment the lineup would’ve been a good countermeasure. Ultimately, Cashman did get a good deal swiping Luis García Jr. from the Nationals and he got the right-handed outfielder the Yankees were seeking, so it wasn’t a dud deadline, but it’s safe to say it was overall disappointing.

Lidbit asks: If Spencer Jones provides league average offense this year, will the Yankees, and should the Yankees, pencil him in for center field next year and allow Grisham to walk?

I don’t believe they’ll pencil Spencer Jones into starting center next year, as he’s still definitely a work in progress at the plate and his defense is passable but not anything to write home about yet. I don’t think they’ll need Jones to shine to impact their decision-making on Trent Grisham though, as the Yankee center fielder has had a turbulent year since signing his qualifying offer. Grisham’s first month was not pretty, but his underlying metrics indicated that he was getting significantly unlucky at the plate and that there was hope he could turn things around. That came about in May has he posted a .797 OPS and turned into a heater for Grisham in June, the outfielder smacking the ball to the tune of a .981 OPS that month.

Unfortunately, he cratered again in July posting even worse numbers than he did in his ice cold April, and he hasn’t shaken out of it in August yet. His defense, meanwhile, has gotten exposed in an outfield that no longer flanks him with Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger, two of the games best corner outfielders. Grisham himself is probably due for a shift over to a corner position, and that would put him out of the running for another year in pinstripes as those two stars are firmly entrenched long-term. It was worth a shot bringing Grisham back, surprising as it was at the time that he took the QO, but I don’t think he’ll be getting re-signed in the winter (or whenever free agency opens considering the impending lockout).

Jmack175 asks:Assuming Judge and Stanton come back at some point, how will they get García Jr. and Rice in the lineup at the same time without Rice having to be behind the plate (which I assume is off the table at this point as it should be)?

It’s a question worth asking, as while the Yankees surely saw the need to upgrade the offense here and now and worry about slotting in the healthy lineup later eventually they’ll need to do that. I don’t know how much you can bet on Stanton contributing to this season (and for that matter, I have no idea how much of Judge we’ll see despite his reassurances), but if they do get the full arsenal of bats to deploy then Aaron Boone will have to manage around a trio of bats that would benefit from the DH slot in García, Rice, and Stanton. Only two of them can play first base, and only García has any positional flexibility that the team could utilize as Rice’s catching days do seem to be a thing of the past. García has played second base prior to this season, but since he’s a platoon bat who should be playing against right-handed pitchers that doesn’t give us a solution — Jazz Chisholm Jr. has been a far better hitter against right-handed hitters as well with a 105 wRC+ compared to a 70 wRC+ against lefties.

The logjam ultimately might only be solved by having Stanton take occasional starts away from one of García or Rice and sitting as a pinch-hit option otherwise. There just isn’t a perfect answer to give to the positional dilemma the Yankees would face trying to deploy their full strength lineup, though if you insert Judge and Bellinger back into the starting picture suddenly you’re a lot less desperate to stuff every bat that can perform above replacement level in. That can work in September when the rosters expand to 28 players, but in the postseason perhaps that costs someone like Paul Goldschmidt his spot as the team will need to carry a backup outfielder still. Goldschmidt stepped up early in the year when the team needed him most, but much like last season his bat has faded as the year has gone on, and I can see the team viewing him as the most expendable come crunch time.