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The 2020 rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox is as one-sided as it has been for quite some time.
Two years ago, the Red Sox eliminated the Yankees from the playoffs on their way to a World Series title. This season, the Yankees are on track to get another shot at a championship as they are the team to beat in the American League. The Red Sox, on the other hand, are the team to be beaten in the AL as a patchwork pitching team left Boston with one of the worst records in baseball.
That said, there are some interesting storylines around the teams – it always seems to be – and we asked baseball reporters David Schoenfield and Alden Gonzalez to share their findings ahead of the Sunday night game (7 ET, ESPN).
If Giancarlo Stanton (on list of injured, thighs) and Aaron Judge (IL, Kalb) aren’t in full strength the rest of the way, do the Yankees have enough firepower to win the American League?
Alden Gonzalez: It’s easy to say that the Yankees won 103 games last year, despite receiving 18 games from Stanton and 102 of 162 games from Judge. It would also be wrong, however, as we cannot possibly expect them to make up for this loss of production in so many unexpected places. Still – I think they can win a pennant even if Judge and Stanton are not at their best, especially in a year the Houston Astros are so troubled.
Think of it this way: if your favorite team had a cast that revolved around Gleyber Torres, DJ LeMahieu, Gio Urshela, Gary Sanchez and Luke Voit, would you be happy? What if I told you there is a rotation of Gerrit Cole and Masahiro Tanaka? And a bullpen with Zack Britton, Chad Green and – at some point you would think – Aroldis Chapman? Do you understand what I mean?
David Schoenfield: They do it especially when Urshela scores well and there are all indications that last season was no accident. Remember, this team just called Clint Frazier who beat .489 last season and Miguel Andujar is back at the alternate training location and can’t find playing time even with Stanton and Judge. The Yankees, of course, have to get Sanchez (.104, 25 strikeouts in 54 records) and Torres (.161, just two extra base hits in 65 PAs) up and running, but their “B” lineup is still stronger than many teams “A” lineup.
Even so, it is frustrating to see the two big boys injured considering how well they both swung the club. But right now it’s also fair to ask: Who is New York’s competition? Charlie Morton is injured and Tyler Glasnow has been struggling so the rotation in Tampa Bay – at the moment – doesn’t look that impressive. The Twins? Well, we all know the Twins can’t beat the Yankees in the postseason (they’ve lost 13 consecutive playoff games against the Yankees for a total of 16 straight). The Astros are a mess. The A’s have their own postseason spirits to exorcise. So, yeah, we could give that AL pennant to the Yankees (wink, wink).
When the trading deadline is nearing, what is the Yankees’ greatest need and will they be able to meet it?
Gonzalez: I hate to sound short-sighted, but that might entirely depend on what’s going on in the next few weeks. Will Stanton and Judge get well? Will Chapman find his way back? Do the starters Jordan Montgomery and James Paxton round in shape? The circumstances of this season make it extraordinarily difficult to make trades for big-name players, both because the extended postseason leaves many teams competing until the end of August, and because the lack of a season in a small league will make it very difficult. evaluate the prospects, which are fundamental to pulling out big deals.
Schönfield: Yes, don’t expect any blockbusters this trading period, and while another reliable starter mug would always be nice, there aren’t any obvious upgrades yet. Trevor Bauer is the best outstanding free agent and the Reds aren’t playing well, but they won’t be out of the running on August 31st either. So I don’t envision the Yankees doing much more than adding another bullpen arm. Tommy Kahnle is on the way with Tommy John’s surgery and he was a key man. If they can replace him, they’ll only have so much more depth to catch a quick hook in the postseason with any non-Gerrit Cole starter.
WHO should the Red Sox sold out at close of trading? WHO become do they act?
Gonzalez: If you’ve traded Mookie Betts before, nobody should be sacrosanct. So, yes, dangle on Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers and Christian Vazquez and see what offers get in your way. Perhaps the limited trading market is causing someone to blow them away, which could potentially accelerate. This is clearly the beginning of a reconstruction.
I’m sure they will try to trade JD Martinez, but his upcoming opt-out and the money left on his deal if he doesn’t unsubscribe make it seemingly unlikely. In the end, they could just trade a pending free agent like Kevin Pillar, Jackie Bradley Jr., or Brandon Workman. During such an unconventional season, it is difficult for any team to justify significant changes.
Schönfield: Workman and Matt Barnes have value – Workman was one of the best helpers in 2019 and 2020, and Barnes is a power arm who did well in the 2018 World Series run. Bradley and Pillar have value as good defensive outfielders, but the Red Sox couldn’t get much for either. Given the financial difficulties this season, the teams don’t want to make a lot of money. Sure Bradley is going to make a little over $ 2 million in the last month, which isn’t a lot, but is he really a differentiator? If the Red Sox are only looking to spend $ 2 million, they can probably trade it but don’t expect much in return.
I’ll predict Workman, Barnes, and Pillar.
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