ketel marte

Yankees News, 6/25: Taillon takes major step forward, Cashman on the trade prowl

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New York Yankees, Aaron Boone, jameson taillon

The Yankees took on the Kansas City Royals on Thursday afternoon, looking to string together another victory — thankfully, they did so in fashion. The Yankees have only lost two of their last nine games and plastered the Royals for eight runs in the win. However, the biggest positive on Thursday was starting pitcher Jamison Taillon, who lasted 6.1 innings, allowing five hits and just one earned run. This was undoubtedly his best game of the season, and considering he currently hosts a 5.18 ERA, this clear progression is worth writing home about.

Prior to Thursday’s game, Taillon had lost his last four contests, giving up 12 earned runs during that time frame. He also allowed 20 overall hits and walked six batters. To see him take a significant step forward is exactly what the starting rotation needed, especially with Corey Kluber out for the next few weeks having suffered a shoulder injury.

The Yankees will now take on the Boston Red Sox on Friday evening with Domingo German on the mound. German has a 4.17 ERA and has allowed 14 homers and 67 hits over 69 innings pitched this year. For Boston, they will feature Martin Perez, who hosts a 4.32 ERA; the Yankees should have an advantage in this game. Boston is coming off three losses over their last four games, including two consecutively to the Tampa Bay Rays. They have scored just three runs in their past two games, indicating a minor cold streak.

The Yankees currently sit 3.5 games back from Boston and four games back from the 1st place Tampa Bay Rays. They can make a major dent in that number heading into a three-game series over the weekend.

The Yankees will likely be active during the trade deadline:

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com stated that Ketel Marte would be a perfect trade target for the Yankees, who’re in need of offensive/utility support:

Ketel Marte of the D-backs would be the best solution, though he is signed through 2022 (with affordable club options for 2023 and ’24), so the price tag to acquire him could be more than Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is willing to pay.

Marte would be a phenomenal pick-up for the Bombers, as he’s currently hitting .366 with four homers and 21 RBIs over 36 games this season. Logging an 11.7 batting and baserunning combined above-average score, he has been an offensive weapon for the Diamondbacks since returning from injury. The Yankees could use a utility player in the infield on a relatively affordable deal.

Yankees could be targeting Diamondbacks infielder to provide offensive support

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Ketel Marte, yankees

The New York Yankees are preparing to take on the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday evening, on the back of a series sweep against the Boston Red Sox. Falling in their last four consecutive games, the Yankees are desperately looking for a sign of positivity and momentum, and unfortunately, it seems nowhere in sight.

Poor officiating the last few days has put the Yankees in between a rock and a hard place, as their offense has struggled to get going, but experiencing poor calls at home in the process shouldn’t be part of the equation. Of course, this issue goes well beyond the home-plate umpire, as the Bombers have been grappling all season long, showing little prowess, despite having a star-studded batting order.

The Yankees could consider looking to the trade market for a supplement. That is where Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Ketel Marte enters the fold.

Marte is an intriguing player who has played his last four seasons with Arizona. So far in 2021, he has played in 23 games, recording four homers and 14 RBIs, hosting a .382 batting average. He has struck out only 15.6% of the time, and while the sample size is small, historically, he has proven to be a stellar offensive weapon. In 2019, Marte posted 32 home runs, a career-high, showcasing his slugging abilities.

We know how much general manager Brian Cashman loves home-run hitters, and considering he has four in 23 games, there is a reason to believe he could be another double-digit option to inject into the lineup.

However, even the insertion of Marte could prove to be ill-fated, as their issues might stem from coaching rather than talent. When you have the highest payroll in baseball with players like Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge, and DJ LeMahieu available, it is hard not to have prolonged sustainable success.

Unfortunately, the Yankees are facing one of the bigger challenges over the past few years, inconsistencies. The Yankees have recently relied on their hitting to supplement their pitching, but now it has become the exact opposite, despite minimal changes in the batting order.

There is no question Marte would add a bit more spark to the infield, which would allow LeMahieu to play first base and Marte to fill in a second. Alternatively, he could play at shortstop, shifting Torres back to his natural position.

Depending on his price tag, this might be a solid move considering he’s also a switch hitter. Marte is currently on a five-year, $24 million deal, with club options in 2023 and 2024. He’s earning just $6 million this season, a respectable number for a player who could offer the Yankees essential value at the midway point in the campaign.