With the non-waiver trade deadline passed at 4 p.m. on Monday, the Yankees have officially closed the door on potential trade to bolster the roster for a postseason push. They made a few new acquisitions, and manager Aaron Boone seems pleased with them.
Before the Yankees' game against the Orioles on Monday, Boone noted that GM Brian Cashman gave his roster "significant pieces" that he can use down the road.
The important pieces were mainly more arms to work with on the mound. One of them is the lefty starter the Yankees desired in J.A. Happ, who looked great in his first performance with the Yankees over the weekend. Another was lefty reliever Zach Britton, and he is expected to be another shutdown arm out of the Yankees' already-loaded bullpen.
The latest, though, was Lance Lynn who flew under the radar of the big Yankee rumors swirling around the deadline. New York acquired the veteran right-hander from the Twins in exchange for 1B Tyler Austin and minor-league pitcher Luis Rijo.
Lynn has been primarily a starter this season in Minnesota, but Boone said that he will work primarily out of the bullpen to start his Yankee campaign. He will also work as a sixth starter that can have spot starts depending on various circumstances for the rest of the season.
There were rumors the Yankees were looking for another outfielder in the midst of Aaron Judge's injury, but no deal seemed to be submitted before the deadline. Cameron Maybin, a possible trade target, was sent to the Mariners, while a Curtis Granderson potential reunion didn't come to fruition.
Overall, the Yankees plugged some holes in their pitching staff, just as Cashman wanted. Time will tell if these moves will work out in the long run.
