Despite rumors connecting them to Pete Alonso, it looked like the New York Yankees were confident in their infielders. Despite diminishing performances by Gleyber Torres and Anthony Rizzo, the Bronx Bombers’ focus was allegedly on adding pitchers. With a wealth of prospects like Everson Pereira with them, the Yankees had good trading chips. But that may have changed now that the young rookie is about to have an elbow surgery.

Andy Martino of SNY was the first to report that Pereira will have an internal brace procedure similar to what Jasson Dominguez underwent last year. This procedure is essentially a modified version of Tommy John surgery. As a result, Pereira’s season could be over for now. Although his debut year wasn’t impressive, he was putting together a solid season in Triple-A before this injury.

That has created a significant issue for the Yankees, as they suddenly have one less trading chip to offer. Despite his below-average first year, Pereira is ranked as the fifth-best Yankees prospect by MLB Pipeline. Now, with Pereira out for a year due to his injury, the Pinstripes will have to look for other talents to offer in potential trades. This is crucial because some of the targets the Yankees are interested in could be highly expensive to acquire.

The team certainly does not want to risk any form of second-half regression. As a result according to New York Post’s Jon Heyman, they’ve decided to shop for possible pitchers during the trade deadline window. And that list includes – Garret Crochet, the Chicago White Sox’s reliever-turned pitcher. But it won’t be easy getting him.

Especially because Crochet is putting together a monster season right now. Though the White Sox could be quite amenable to a trade (they’re one of the worst teams in major leagues this year), the Yankees also have other targets as well.

Everson Pereira’s injury and deadline day targets of the Yankees

According to Jon Heyman, the Yankees are looking to strengthen their bullpen for the second half. But Crochet seems like the perfect candidate – he’s currently leading the AL with 116 strikeouts. However, longevity has always been an issue for him. Apart from him, there’s the Miami Marlins’ Tanner Scott in their crosshair. However, both these pitchers have multiple teams looking at them.

On top of that, despite the Oakland Athletics’ rejection, multiple executives believe they can trade Mason Miller after the All-Star break. But because this is a trade, all of this hinges on what the New York Yankees offer to the team. Before Everson Pereira’s injury, he could’ve been a perfect trading chip but now that he’s gone – things look a little murky around The Bronx.