It started with a playful question on FOX’s All-Star Game broadcast: “Who’s going to the World Series?” What came next wasn’t just bold, it was blistering. Derek Jeter, usually reserved and diplomatic on-air, didn’t hesitate. He picked the Yankees to win it all. But it wasn’t blind loyalty. His reasoning cut straight to the front office.
“Cashman basically said that he’s all in. So I expect the Yankees to do something at the trade deadline,” Jeter predicted. That wasn’t just a pick. It was a challenge, broadcast live and aimed directly at Yankees GM Brian Cashman, delivered by the most iconic captain in franchise history. And then came the support. Alex Rodriguez, standing beside Jeter in the FOX studio, didn’t just co-sign the message; he expanded it.
On the latest edition of The Michael Kay Show, A-Rod doubled down on concerns about the Yankees’ construction and accountability, pointing to a pattern of missed opportunities that still haunts the team today. “This is all to do with the construction of the roster,” Rodriguez mentioned. “And the price you pay for missing on Harper, Machado, Bregman… It’s costly.”
And he’s right, those three names aren’t just what-ifs. They’re daily reminders of missed windows and miscalculations. Imagine Bryce Harper patrolling right field in the Bronx. Instead, he’s become the face of the Phillies, an NL MVP and postseason force who dragged Philadelphia to back-to-back NLCS appearances. His intensity and swagger? It would’ve been tailor-made for Yankee Stadium.
Then there’s Manny Machado, a natural successor to A-Rod at third. The Yankees had a clear opening when Machado hit free agency after a dominant postseason with the Dodgers. But instead of locking down a long-term answer at the hot corner, they passed. Now, Machado’s anchoring San Diego’s infield with elite defense and All-Star consistency, while the Yankees have cycled through stopgaps.
And Alex Bregman? He was right there for the taking in the 2015 draft. The Astros picked him second overall. The Yankees picked 16th. Different slot, sure, but with better scouting urgency, who knows? Bregman blossomed into a two-time All-Star and key cog in Houston’s title runs. His fiery presence and postseason pedigree, again, are exactly what the current Yankees lineup lacks.
These aren’t hindsight takes. These were players who fit the bill at the time: young, powerful, marketable stars. And the Yankees whiffed. Rodriguez didn’t need hypotheticals. He summed it up in three lines: they passed on Max Scherzer early, sat out the Syndergaard/D’Arnaud haul, and never chased championship-caliber glue guys like Cain or Escobar when the opportunity was there.
So when Jeter called out the front office on national TV, it wasn’t frustration, it was urgency. A captain lighting the fire. And A-Rod? He poured gasoline on it. Because in the Bronx, “all in” only matters if the results show up in October.
Two names that could change the Yankees’ season
When it comes to trade deadline wish lists, the Yankees don’t need just any bullpen help; they need difference-makers. Enter Jhoan Durán and Griffin Jax, two elite Minnesota arms who could swing the balance of power in the AL. If the Twins decide to sell, these two won’t be around long. Both are young, electric, and under team control through 2027. That’s the kind of upside teams line up for and the kind of firepower the Yankees desperately need in late innings.
Start with Durán. The 27-year-old is a walking nightmare for hitters, blending a 100+ mph fastball with a filthy “splinker” that dives into the dirt. He hasn’t allowed a single home run in over 70 innings this year and leads MLB in ground ball percentage (69.4%). It’s more than being dominant; it’s about having control and power while also exuding intimidation all at once. He has already accumulated 73 career saves with a 2.41 ERA since his debut in 2022. To put it simply, the instant he steps foot in the clubhouse wearing pinstripes. He would unquestionably become the standout reliever.
And don’t overlook Jax. While Durán grabs headlines with heat, Jax quietly overwhelms hitters with elite command and strikeout efficiency. He’s fanning 37.8% of batters this year while walking barely anyone. His ERA might sit at 3.92, but his FIP, just 1.87, tells a clearer story: he’s better than the box score shows. Add in the fact that he’s racking up chase rates north of 40%, and Jax starts to look less like a secondary piece and more like a co-headliner in any deal.
Together, these two could stabilize the Yankees’ most vulnerable area, and maybe rewrite the second half.
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