The first two days of the Jazz Chisholm era with the Yankees have definitely gone well, with Chisholm following up his New York debut (an 8-2 win against the Red Sox) with a blazing two-home run performance against the Phillies, resulting in a 14-4 blowout victory. The first of what might be several Yankees trades looks to have gone smoothly; why not more?
That’s the core of the argument from MLB.com veteran reporter Mark Feinsand, who made a late prediction on how the rest of the Yankees’ trade deadline week may play out. And if he is correct, it will be a doozy, with two MLB players perhaps heading to New York.
Both stars have previously been linked to the Yankees, but now that the deadline has passed, it is time for the Yankees to make a move. While one possibility (Angels infielder Luis Rengifo) looks to be somewhat redundant following the addition of Chisholm, the other (Marlins reliever Tanner Scott) remains a significant necessity in New York.
Is Jazz Chisholm just one of several reinforcements?
Here’s what Feinsand wrote on the Yankees’ remaining trade deadline moves on Monday evening, 24 hours before the MLB deadline:
“After adding Jazz Chisholm Jr., I still anticipate the Yankees to trade for at least one reliever and potentially an infielder. In an ideal scenario for New York, I believe it would be Luis Rengifo and Tanner Scott.”
Rengifo can play three infield positions and play outfield, and he is having his greatest MLB season, batting.300 for the Angels, who are selling at the trade deadline. If the Angels can get some good prospects for Rengifo, who is under team control for next season, they will let him go.
Rengifo has been terrific for most of the season, but has recently fallen since returning from a wrist injury sustained early in July. Rengifo was hitting.He hit 319 immediately before his injury and has batted in seven games since.125, with only three hits in 25 at bats.
With Chisholm taking over third base for the Yankees—he made his MLB debut on Monday—we can assume that acquiring Rengifo would imply he’d be likely to replace Gleyber Torres, who has had a tough year but is batting better lately (.317 in 21 games as of Monday night).
Yankees’ trades are more likely to focus on pitching.
The Yankees appear to be more concerned with acquiring a starting pitcher before the trade deadline than with adding another infielder or positional player. If they acquire a player, first base remains an issue, as neither Chisholm nor Rengifo has played there before.
On Monday night, rumors circulated that the Yankees were in “extensive talks” to acquire Jack Flaherty from the Tigers.
Regardless of what they do with Flaherty, Rengifo, and the rest of the roster, the Yankees will undoubtedly attempt to acquire another bullpen arm on Tuesday. Scott remains the best closer on the market, and while the Yankees may have to spend, their desire is justified.
However, a few other competitors are also interested.
Scott’s stats this season—a 1.18 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 45.2 innings, as well as an All-Star appearance—indicate that he is a valuable asset at the MLB trade deadline. There is no contender in baseball today, or probably ever, who would not desire additional bullpen help.
If these Yankees trade predictions come true, the Bombers will have to part with some major talent in exchange for Rengifo and Scott.
