The Yankees have been aggressive in making waiver claims, rival executives tell ESPN’s Buster Olney (subscription required). New York has traditionally made many claims during the August waiver period, sometimes in pursuit of late-season upgrades themselves or simply to block players from reaching other rivals.
This year, the club is in a somewhat different position, as a series of mid-season trades proved that the focus isn’t on 2016. Still, the Yanks have rather remarkably maintained a 15-10 record since the calendar flipped to August, and sit only 3.5 games out of Wild Card position and 6.5 back in the AL East.
Interestingly, Olney suggests that New York’s position just behind Baltimore — but ahead of its division-rival in waiver priority — has created problems for the O’s as they seek to make last-minute additions. The Yankees, it seems, have been able to open possibilities for their own new acquisitions while also cutting off the supply lines of their competitors.
All said, then, the Yanks could be juggling any of three primary sources of motivation in making any single claim: adding players for the final month of 2016, preventing A.L. rivals from doing the same, and/or picking up assets for 2017 and beyond. While there’s not much time remaining for the aggressive waiver wire strategy to work, it seems that New York has at least largely succeeded in maintaining the status quo — leaving the club in position to make a surprising late run at a Wild Card, if not the division itself.
Team in wildcard hunt tries to improve. Interesting.,,
But seriously, this is a fun position as a Yankee fan due to the fact that it gives the team an advantage from stopping the Orioles from improving much over the course of the next month even though if they do make a trade (unless it’s in the next 3 days) will not impact it’s postseason roster.
I think it’s childish to claim people so that others don’t get them.
It’s stupid not claim someone. Sit around and let the competition get better when you can prevent it? That’s STUPID
It’s a smarter move than just letting a rival get them.
Part of strategy. What if the team placing them on waivers doesn’t revoke them? They are stuck with the salary. Look at what the Blue Jays did with Alex Rios when the White Sox claimed him
Let’s just not have a trade deadline then
So I guess you believe that they should sit back and let every other team get better and do nothing. Thankfully you’re not in charge over there
What could they possibly by trying to upgrade? They just added a rookie of year candidate, 2 potential Aces in the rotation in Cessa and Green, flame thrower Heller to the pen, and Hicks has become a top outfielder he was always thought to be.
Green and Cessa aces?!?!?!? Pump the brakes
A 2.25ERA as a starter is better than an Ace.
Wow…. -after 55 innings you’re declaring he’s an Ace? You might need 10-lives after that comment!
He’s just trolling. Don’t feed him.
He almost had me, but calling Hicks a “top outfielder” was a bit much. haha
Most analysts have declared Cessa and Green to maybe he good back end guys be neither of them are aces. Severino was doing as well as they are and look how he panned out. Heller can throw not pitch so he’s going to take some time along with the “aces” and Hicks is nothing more than outfield depth. That’s why they didn’t trade Gardner and Judge is going to fill into RF. Not Hicks.
Not every team has a perennial Cy Young candidate as Clay Buchholz to jump into the rotation. While we’re on the subject, not every team has 3 aces in Price, Porcello, and R.A. Dickey v2.0. Yankees need to make all the claims they can to keep up with the Red Sox rotation.
Dickey in the sox rotation? Do you watch baseball?
He meant Steven wright as the next RA Dickey type pitcher
This guys a troll
Somebody on MLBTR please ban nine livez from this site.
If they could get another useful arm like Tommy Layne that would be a coup. Hard to believe the Red Sox cut him loose with all the remaining control he has for an inferior pitcher like Abad.
Sanchez isn’t a ROY candidate. He’s in a hot streak but not enough PA to be a serious contender. Fulmer has that in the bag
Totally agree. Similar to Sano last year where he didn’t have the ABs Lindoe or Correa did
Lindor*
Not saying it could happen because puig and hicks would have to pass through waivers but a 1 for 1 trade with the Yankees taking all of puigs salary. Two guys with all the talent in the world but can only put it together 2 weeks out of the year.
Yanks fan here. The Yanks would have to give up more for Puig imo. Even tho Puig comes with more baggage (emotionally and financially) he has at least showed success at the mlb level where as Hicks hasn’t over the course of a full season. It would have to be Hicks plus a lower end prospect is my guess. Not a top rated prospect but maybe a toolsy guy who hasn’t blossomed but has moderate talent. to crack the top 100 in the next couple of years.
It is a very smart move for the Yankees to be active on the wire. Teams that are now complaining probably did the same thing during the years where they were behind the Yanks in the standings. Good GM’s will make the necessary moves before July 31st deadline and make sure they have adequate options at the AAA/AA levels to protect against injuries. Separates the Contenders from the Pretenders.