The New York Yankees may be in the middle of their yearly slump, but they still look like heavy favorites to at least secure a playoff spot.
At the conclusion of play on Tuesday, the Yankees were only one game up in the American League East, their smallest lead since Apr. 22. They've lost 10 of their last 16 games, and will hope to avoid a sweep on Wednesday night in Cincinnati.
If the Yankees want to become AL favorites again, they'd do well to add one more starting pitcher. They put Allan Winans on a major league mound on Monday night, so there's certainly extra room on the depth chart.
One insider even thinks the Yankees could be poised to grab an ex-Cy Young Award winner.
On Wednesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote a trade deadline preview, in which he discussed a number of fits for the Yankees based on intel from around the league. The Miami Marlins' Sandy Alcantara appears to be near the top of New York's list.
"The American League is wide open, and the Yankees are poised to take full advantage of the opportunity," Nightengale wrote. "Their ultimate prize could be Alcantara, giving them a powerful rotation, particularly when Gerrit Cole returns next year."
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As most are aware, Alcantara is having a rough season. With a 6.69 ERA in 15 starts, he's been one of the least valuable starting pitchers in Major League Baseball--a far cry from 2022, when he led the league with 228 2/3 innings pitched and posted a 2.28 ERA.
Fortunately, he's thrown the ball better of late, posting a 2.74 ERA over his last four starts. And the Yankees wouldn't just have him this season--his $56 million extension includes full team control for 2026 and a $21 million club option for 2027.
The Marlins should be motivated to deal Alcantara if his resurgence continues, so that's what the Yankees are hoping for in the coming weeks. The deadline is Jul. 31 at 6 p.m. EST.
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