Ranking every Yankees trade based on its World Series impact
By John Buhler
The New York Yankees were clearly buyers during the 2021 MLB trade deadline.
In a season with great expectations, the New York Yankees are hoping the trades general manager Brian Cashman made at the deadline will help them be dark horse World Series contenders.
It has been over a decade since the Bronx Bombers have thrown a World Series parade. While this organization had been knocking on the door of an elusive AL pennant for some time, this has not been a great year for them thus far. If they are going to win the American League, they will need to either catch fire, in a good way, or run the gauntlet as one of two AL Wild Card teams in October.
Here are the trades of note made by the Yankees, ranked according to their World Series impact.
New York Yankees’ 4 trades ranked based on their possible World Series impact
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. RHP. New York Yankees. 43. Clay Holmes. 4. player
Clay Holmes will be impactful in the Yankees bullpen, but not significantly
The Yankees dealt for former Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Clay Holmes in the days leading up to the July 30 deadline. Holmes came to New York on July 26 in exchange for Diego Castillo and Hoy Park. He made his Yankees’ debut in Thursday’s pitiful 14-0 loss to the division rival Tampa Bay Rays, as Holmes threw one shutout inning, while striking out one hitter and walking nobody.
Though the Yankees’ pitching staff has not been electrifying at all, one could argue that the bullpen has been better than the rotation up to this point. Holmes’ debut in Yankees uniform went over well, but it remains to be seen if he will have as big of an impact as the other players of note Cashman traded for. If he is good, that is great. But if he struggles, that could be a problem here.
On the year, Holmes has a 3-2 record in 43 innings over 45 appearances. He boasts a 4.81 ERA and a 1.395 WHIP. Holmes has struck out 45 batters, walked another 25 and hit four more. If he pitches like he did in his Yankees debut, Holmes can give the New York bullpen many quality innings the rest of the way. His impact can be positive, but other guys will move the needle more.
Holmes’ potential World Series impact can be felt if the Yankees bullpen thrives in the dog days.