Yankees must make trade with Aaron Judge hurt

With Aaron Judge breaking his wrist on Thursday night, the New York Yankees must make a trae to shore up their roster for the dog days of August.

One pitch can change everything in a baseball season. On Thursday evening, such an even occurred when Aaron Judge was plunked on the right wrist in the first inning. He stayed in, singled, and then went to the hospital. X-rays revealed a fracture, and with that, approximately a month on the shelf.

With Judge hurt and the Boston Red Sox rolling, the Yankees find themselves in a precarious spot. Only weeks ago, it seemed the worst-case scenario would be hosting the American League Wild Card Game. Now, the game is rapidly changing with the Seattle Mariners trailing by just 4.5 games, and the red-hot Oakland Athletics by 5.5 games.

In other words, the Yankees are a bad few weeks from potentially being on the outside of the playoff picture.

General manager Brian Cashman has been aggressive thus far, acquiring starting pitcher JA Happ and bullpen arm Zach Britton. However, with Judge down, New York has real reason to look for more reinforcements, whether it be in the lineup or another pitcher.

While Judge is slated to return sometime around the start of September, there’s no guarantee he’ll be 100 percent. The heat of the pennant race tends to do that, bringing guys back before they’re fully ready. If the offense slips at all, the woes of the starting staff will be exposed, with unreliable veterans such as CC Sabathia, Masahiro Tanaka and Sonny Gray being a group of question marks.

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Perhaps the best way to pick up the offense is to provide another starter who doesn’t require a boatload of run support. There are still names out there such as Tyson Ross, Dan Straily and even Chris Archer, who would cost a premium but could be a major asset for years to come.

Regardless, the broken bone in the Bronx last night sent shockwaves through the baseball world, and if Cashman doesn’t act, could send them through the standings as well.