MLB | Mike Lupica: There is confidence that Aaron Judge will be back this season, even if it’s not by the Trade Deadline (spoiler alert: it won’t be). If that is the case, should the Yankees push chips into the middle of the table and make a run at their first World Series title in a generation? The answer is yes, and not just because the American League is, All-Star Game result notwithstanding, mediocre. Judge is no spring chicken. And if he is going to be back this season, it behooves the front office to give him and the team the best possible chance to bring another title to the Bronx.
MLB: So. Where might the Yankees turn at the deadline if they decide to pursue upgrades? Let’s start with catcher. There has been smoke regarding the Colorado Rockies’ Hunter Goodman, for example. Regardless, the position desperately requires an offensive upgrade. Yankee backstops have put up a putrid .519 OPS this season, tied with the Chicago White Sox for the worst mark in the majors. Conversely, don’t expect the Yanks to spend assets on upgrading shortstop. That means everyone can put away their trade simulators — there will be no deal for Francisco Lindor.
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Yahoo | Ronald Blum: Clarke Schmidt, who has been out all season after Tommy John surgery in 2025, has taken an important step in his rehab and recovery. On Saturday the righty faced live hitters for the first time, tossing an inning of batting practice. Schmidt remarked afterward that his fastball touched 95 mph, and he is slated to throw another session in the near future. Schmidt sounds like he is just excited to be nearing his return, and has expressed his willingness to return in the bullpen, to pitch as an opener, whatever the club needs.
NJ.com | Adam Zagoria: It annoys me when I find myself unable to be mad at Aaron Boone. But it makes me feel better when David Cone, who knows a thing or two because he’s seen a thing or two, agrees with me. Boonie fell on his sword for leaving Gerrit Cole in Friday’s game against the Dodgers to surrender what ended up the game’s decisive two-run home run. Coney, for his part, lauded Boone for trusting Cole, the Yankees’ returning ace. And gosh darn it, I can’t disagree. If you can’t trust Gerrit Cole, who can you trust. The move didn’t work but I loved seeing it.
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