The New York Yankees are currently in a challenging phase, with their offense struggling outside of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, despite holding the top rank earlier in the season, now sitting at 19th in July’s run standings. Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report suggests that trading for Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. could inject much-needed vigor into their lineup. In a July 10 article, Miller pointed out that Robert, earning $12.5 million this season (prorated to about $4 million by July 30), has a contract that includes $15 million for 2025 and $20 million club options for both 2026 and 2027. Acquiring Robert’s powerful batting could not only bolster the Yankees’ 2024 roster but also provide insurance in case Soto departs in the upcoming offseason.
Despite their strong start with a 49-21 record, the Yankees have now spiraled to the worst performance in baseball over their last 23 games (6-17). Outfielder Alex Verdugo, once a strong contender, has struggled significantly since May 8, with a batting line of .226/.261/.368.
Luis Robert Jr., who signed a six-year, $50 million extension with the White Sox in 2020 before his major league debut, has faced challenges maintaining his health since entering MLB in 2020, having been placed on the injured list seven times. This season, he was sidelined from April 6 due to a right hip flexor strain. Last season marked his first playing over 100 games, during which he slashed .264/.315/.542, hit 38 home runs, and earned his first Silver Slugger award. Returning to action on June 4, Robert has since launched 8 home runs with an OPS of .802. His .791 OPS for the season would position him just below Giancarlo Stanton, currently on the injured list, in fourth place among Yankees players. Primarily a center fielder defensively, Robert’s acquisition might prompt positional adjustments in the Yankees’ outfield, potentially allowing Judge to move to right field if a center fielder were acquired by the trade deadline.
Regarding the trade deadline, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman emphasized on July 9 that the team remains open-minded to various possibilities, acknowledging areas needing improvement. Reflecting on their 2022 season, where they started strongly but faltered thereafter, Cashman expressed hope that their early season success in 2024 would provide a cushion for turnaround. In 2022, despite attempts to stabilize with acquisitions such as Andrew Benintendi, Frankie Montas, and Harrison Bader, the Yankees’ efforts did not meet expectations. However, Cashman remains optimistic about the potential for a different outcome in 2024.