Yankees’ Struggling Offense Dealt Another Blow

The New York Yankees have won nine of their last 12 games, but their offense has taken a hit with the placement of Cody Bellinger on the injured list due to a left hamstring strain. This latest setback has put additional pressure on the team’s trade deadline needs, particularly in the outfield.

Bellinger, who has been a key contributor to the Yankees’ offense, suffered the injury while legging out a double in the eighth inning of Saturday’s win over the Philadelphia Phillies. He stayed in the game to run the bases but was replaced in left field in the next half-inning.

In an interview with MLB.com after the game, Bellinger downplayed the severity of the injury, stating, “I’ve never had a hamstring (injury) before. It just feels a little tight. I really don’t think it’s anything too serious.” However, he acknowledged that it was a smart decision to exit the game to avoid exacerbating the injury.

The loss of Bellinger is a significant blow to the Yankees’ offense, which has already been without their starting right fielder, Aaron Judge, and their starting designated hitter, Giancarlo Stanton. Judge is not yet ready to resume baseball activities and seems unlikely to return before September at this point.

The Yankees’ offense has struggled to find its footing in recent weeks, averaging just 3.25 runs per game in their last 32 games. This has put additional pressure on the team’s trade deadline needs, particularly in the outfield.

With the injury to Bellinger, the Yankees are now forced to rely on a combination of Spencer Jones, Jasson Domínguez, and Trent Grisham in the outfield. While this trio has shown promise, it is unlikely to be enough to sustain the team’s offense in the long term.

As a result, the Yankees are likely to be active in the trade market in the coming days, with a focus on acquiring a more everyday outfielder. Here are a few potential trade targets:

Potential Outfield Trade Targets

• Jo Adell, Los Angeles Angels: Adell is a controllable right-handed bat who could provide a much-needed boost to the Yankees’ offense. He is well off last year’s 37-homer pace and has the potential to be a key contributor in the coming years.
• Heliot Ramos, San Francisco Giants: Ramos is a similar player to Adell, with big right-handed power but limited defense. He will remain under team control through 2029 and could be a long-term addition to the Yankees’ outfield.
• Luis Robert Jr., New York Mets: Robert is a rental outfielder who has the potential to be a game-changer in the short term. However, his injury history and limited availability make him a high-risk, high-reward trade target.
• Spencer Steer, Cincinnati Reds: Steer is a controllable outfielder who has a well-rounded game, with average-ish exit velocities, contact rates, and plate discipline. He is also competent at multiple positions and has experience at first base, second base, and third base.
• Lane Thomas, Kansas City Royals: Thomas is a near-lock to get traded and has been having his best year since his 28-homer, 20-steal season in 2023. He is a disciplined hitter who does his best work against lefties and provides some speed and defense.

The Yankees will need to weigh the risks and rewards of each of these trade targets in the coming days, with a focus on acquiring a more everyday outfielder to help sustain their offense in the long term.