Yankees at MLB trade deadline: What they've done so far, and what they can still do

PHILADELPHIA – Some of that early season swagger had returned to the Yankees’ clubhouse, with a blowout win Monday night against a true World Series contender.

Phillies’ starter Zack Wheeler entered with a 2.55 ERA and exited after five innings, after Aaron Judge, Jazz Chisholm and Ben Rice had taken him deep, and Juan Soto and Austin Wells collected two-run extra base hits.

The energy generated by Chisholm’s arrival and the awe of Judge’s remarkable season highlighted a 14-4 win, putting the Yankees within a half-game of the AL East-leading Orioles.

Judge would hit two homers – Nos. 38 and 39 – and Chisholm completed the Yanks’ first multi-homer game by Yankees teammates since 2022 when he connected off a position player in the ninth.

Adding to the giddy feeling of the Yanks’ third straight win, Chisholm used Judge’s 35-ounce bat to club his second homer.

Aaron Judge on the Yankees' trade deadline approach

At a frenzied time, Judge was asked about what he anticipates happening before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. MLB trade deadline, and the captain smiled.

“Other teams are making moves, so, I feel we’re going to be making moves too. We’ll see.’’

Judge’s opinion as an unofficial assistant GM carries weight, and there was some expectation in that line as players zoomed off the trade board Monday.

The Yankees aren’t done exploring offensive upgrades (they’ve been connected to Luis Rengifo and Yandy Diaz) since landing Chisholm from the Marlins for three prospects, but there’s an obvious need to bolster their bullpen.

Marlins’ lefty closer Tanner Scott remains a highly coveted trade chip, and a high-priced rental in his free agent walk year.

The Athletics’ Lucas Erceg would be another difference maker, but at an enormous price with years of control remaining.

But the stock of available impact relief arms is dwindling, with Michael Kopech going from the White Sox to the Dodgers and the Phillies having already landed Carlos Estevez from the Angels.

USA Today baseball columnist Bob Nightengale reported the Yankees’ serious interest in Tigers’ starter Jack Flaherty, and the Yankees have discussed moving Nestor Cortes.

Yankees counting on reinforcements from within

The Yankees should have Clarke Schmidt (lat strain) back in their rotation by September, and Luis Gil appears to be staying in their rotation instead of transitioning to the bullpen.

Over the weekend in Boston, Gil popped into Aaron Boone’s office to tell the manager: “I’m ready for a full season’’ as a starter, trying to allay any possible concerns about his innings workload.

Gil is essentially coming off two lost seasons due to Tommy John surgery rehab, but he’s been essential to the Yanks’ rotation, and pitched better than Monday’s line indicated.

Against the formidable Phillies’ lineup anchored by Bryce Harper, Gil was charged with three runs over 5.1 innings, effectively using his slider in recording eight strikeouts.

Meanwhile, the Yankees got Giancarlo Stanton (0-for-4, walk) back in the DH spot, after missing five weeks due to a strained left hamstring, further lengthening a lineup that has suddenly come alive – scoring 40 runs over their last four games.

“I look forward to getting through these next 24 hours,’’ said Boone, feeling the uncertainty and anxiety of the trade deadline.

By 6 p.m. Tuesday, it’s “here we go boys, this is what we got, let’s go get ‘em.’’

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees at MLB trade deadline 2024: What moves they can still make