Grading every team’s World Series chances after the trade deadline
By Brad Weiss
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees have been one of the best teams in Major League Baseball this season, but that has come at no surprise. The biggest surprise is the fact that entering July 31, they were 30 games over .500, but still six games back of the Boston Red Sox for first place in the AL East.
During the trade deadline, the Yankees made sure they put themselves in position to battle with the Red Sox the rest of the way, bringing in some solid contributors. While the team did not make a huge splash, an arm like Zach Britton can really help them down the stretch, and they did not have to give up much to get him.
Another arm the Yankees were able to get was J.A. Happ, who will stay in the AL East after playing for the Toronto Blue Jays the last few seasons. Happ got out to a fast start to his Yankees career, winning his first start with the team, and how good he pitches will have a direct impact into whether or not the Yankees take the division.
For Happ, the Yankees had to give away Brandon Drury, who has the potential to be a cog in the Blue Jays lineup for years to come. In addition to Happ, the Yankees also traded with the Minnesota Twins for Lance Lynn, who should provide length in their bullpen, and give them another starter if need be.
This Yankees team is ready for a run towards the World Series, but they need to get Gary Sanchez and Aaron Judge back and healthy for the division run later this summer. Once they are in the playoffs, they are going to be a hard out for any team they face.