Through the halfway mark in the 2024 MLB season, the New York Yankees looked in good touch. The team was at the top of the American League East table and had a PCT close to .600. With Juan Soto and Aaron Judge in their offense ranks, the duo smashed 62 homers in the 2024 season. Also, despite their struggles in pitching, the Yankees were doing well just before the start of June and an unforgettable July month. In the mid-season, the team lost a few of their pitchers due to injuries, and with outfielders like Volpe and Verdugo making recent blunders, the Yankees’ performance dripped down further.

In July 2024, they had a record of 5-16, becoming the first MLB team to win just five games out of 21 in a single season. Perhaps, against the Boston Red Sox, the Yanks lost 9-7 on Friday night, making the team tally to lose 24 out of their last 35 MLB games. Reflecting on the Yankee’s problems, Nestor Cortes Jr. and Aaron Boone had completely different opinions. While one was optimistic about the New York Yankees’ future performances, another expressed his raw thoughts on perennial team struggles. 

Amid Yankees struggles, Aaron Boone & Nestor Cortes Jr. expressed their thoughts

Since the past few weeks, Yankees manager Aaron Boone has been under major scrutiny. Earlier, after a series loss against the Red Sox and yet again losing to them on Friday, Boone said, “There’s definitely an end in sight, and we’re going to get there.” Against the Red Sox on Friday, the Yankees looked good. They were at a three-run lead after the seventh inning. However, Luke Weaver was not able to hold the lead. He allowed a two-run homer to Ceddanne Rafaela toward the bottom of the seventh inning. Perhaps Tyler O Neill scored an RBI double, and with a single RBI to Masataka Yoshida, the Yanks surrendered to the Red Sox. 

On the contrary, seeing the persistent New York Yankees struggle, their pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. had different views than his manager. Expressing his concerns, Cortes Jr. said, “Feels like when we hit, we don’t pitch, and when we pitch, we don’t hit. Tough stretch. Tough two months, I don’t know what you want to call it. But we do need to turn it around.” Despite the double engine Juan Soto and Aaron Judge sustaining the offense, the Yankee’s OPS dropped to .761. Also, Gerrit Cole’s return didn’t look promising in the pitching department. Against the New York Mets on Wednesday, he was smashed for a two-out homer by Tyrone Taylor in the third inning. 

Also, another pitcher, Carlos Rodon, seems to be out of touch. He has a season ERA of 4.42, and with a WAR of just 0.7, the Yankees might consider a possible replacement. Eventually, with Nestor Cortes expressing his thoughts, his performance against the Red Sox was below par. He allowed a massive four earned runs on nine hits and allowed two crucial walks. Altogether, with the Yankees struggling and the trade deadline inching closer, the team might be searching for potential pitching and offense prospects. 

MLB insiders unveil New York Yankees trade plan for 2024 MLB season

Starting with the Yankees offense, Soto and Judge have solely been their key players. A prime example would be the Yankees losing 12-3 against the Mets on Wednesday at the Yankee Stadium. Juan Soto smashed his 26th home run, but the team was unable to capitalize on the homer. Also, as per Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Yankees could consider Rays outfielder Brandon Lowe and the infielder Amed Rosario. While Lowe had a slow start to the MLB 2024 season, he has hit three homers in his last six outings. Also, Rosario has a batting average of .306 and a staggering .740 OPS in his last 258 plate appearances. 

Furthermore, in the pitching department, the Bronx Bombers could trade Spencer Jones if they get an ace pitcher. According to USA Today’s top insider, Bob Nightengale, the team has shown an interest in trading Jones for the White Sox lefty Garret Crochet or Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal. Also, other than high-pay players, the Yankees are looking for low-pay pitchers. As per Nightengale, they had talks with the Cubs for Jameson Taillon. The 32-year-old pitcher has a great ERA of 3.10 over 93 innings, and the Yankees could consider him before the trade deadline. 

Losing one game against the Red Sox, the Pinstrips still have two matches left in the series. In the American League East, the Yankees are in the second position with a PCT of .571. Indeed, the Baltimore Orioles are leading at the top, having only a few games lead. Hence, if the Yankees manage to beat the Red Sox in the next two games and a series win over the Phillies later could sail the Yankees for a potential playoff berth in the 2024 MLB season.