‘The future’s bright’ | Why Luis Severino players and coaches believe there’s a lot to look forward to in 2024……

‘The future’s bright’ | Why Luis Severino players and coaches believe there’s a lot to look forward to in 2024……

Aaron Judge can’t fix Yankees’ woes as trade deadline approaches

BALTIMORE — Aaron Judge’s return to the New York Yankees has brought tangible and intangible benefits. This was especially timely. It was just days before the trade deadline and almost exactly two months left until the end of this difficult season.

The club is not only welcoming back the American League’s single-season home run leader, who hit 19 home runs in 49 games before suffering a dislocated right toe. Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon said, “His presence scares opposing teams and everyone changes the way they pitch.” And the club is hoping for at least 2.5 wins over his replacement, even though Judge was sidelined from June 4 to July 28, a total that still leads the Yankees.

In reality, the title he received as team captain was more than just a symbolic gesture to accompany the $360 million contract he signed in December. “I think having such an important player back on the field for us will give us a little bit of a morale boost,” receiver Kyle Higashioka said. “He is the captain and everything. “They didn’t give him that title just for show.  I mean, he’s really the captain of this team, so it’s a big deal to get him back.
But just three games into Judge’s return, the Yankees are already testing the limits of their superstar’s superpowers. Judge isn’t 100% healthy, and his recovery from a sprained toe is a minor medical miracle to contend with. That kept Judge out of the lineup for Sunday’s final game of the series against the Baltimore Orioles, just three games after his return and one night after hitting his home run. “It’s tough not having him on the team,” coach Aaron Boone admitted. “When you’re trying to protect things like your toes, you start to worry about the soft tissues. calves, hamstrings, etc.

“This is 13 games in a row. I hope he starts from 10 games onwards.”

Then the Yankees came out and exposed their shortcomings, clearly showing the distance between them and the three teams chasing them for the precious wild card spot.

The Orioles won the series, extending their lead in the American League East over the last-place Yankees to nine games with 9 wins and 3 losses. In his first appearance on Sunday Night Baseball in five years, the Orioles’ first six players were on base against Luis Severino. They had seven hits, scored seven runs, and looked agile and explosive in the first inning.

It’s a tumultuous time in Baltimore, with the Orioles shifting into offense mode for the first time in six years, and with fans waiting to see what GM Mike Elias will do at Tuesday’s trade deadline. 7,429 people visited. The Yankees are in a completely different situation. Their market demands constant competition, and with a 55-50 record and relatively close to a playoff spot, they need to make a move.