Cody Bellinger injury adds urgency to Yankees trade deadline plans

Cody Bellinger’s worse-than-expected hamstring strain adds a new layer to the Yankees’ trade deadline period.

Diagnosed on Monday with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, Bellinger’s four-to-six week timeline to return puts him back in the Yankees’ lineup sometime in September.

But even with Bellinger, a compromised Yankees lineup – no Aaron Judge since June 2, no Giancarlo Stanton since April 25 – had become a deeper issue.

Before their 9-5 win against the White Sox on Monday night, the second-place Yankees were 14-19 since June 19, averaging 3.27 runs per game.

Prior to that, the Yankees were averaging 5.27 runs per game and leading the AL East by 3.5 games.

Of course, every pinstriped hope of a deep October run is connected to Judge’s return.

And we’re still waiting on the second re-imaging of Judge’s fractured first right rib, and for his clearance just to begin baseball activity.

With Stanton, the constant he’s-getting-closer narrative should never limit the pursuit of more offense.

Trade market offers limited offensive upgrades

Still, impact bats are tough to find in this trade market, and you wonder about the appeal for the Yanks to absorb a bad contract or another DH-only type.

In recent days, potential offensive targets in Cincinnati’s Spencer Steer (wrist), San Francisco’s Casey Schmitt (knee) and even A’s catcher Shea Langeliers (knee), a longshot trade candidate, have receded due to injury.

A right-handed hitting outfielder is a better Yankee fit, and Kansas City has two impending free agents in Starling Marte and Lane Thomas. And the Mets' Tyrone Taylor is an increasingly intriguing option.

Elsewhere, if the Tigers choose to trade lefty ace Tarik Skubal, might they also be inclined to deal fellow impending free agent Gleyber Torres?

But the defensive fit in the Bronx is an issue, which also applies to Padres’ lefty-hitting second baseman Luis Arraez, also in his free agent walk year.

Ryan Jeffers among potential Yankees targets

Still, the Bellinger situation doesn’t alter the Yanks’ top areas to upgrade.

The search for a swing-and-miss reliever and a right-handed hitting catcher could take the Yankees right up to Monday’s MLB trade deadline.

With an .856 OPS in nine games since his return from a left hamate bone fracture, right-handed hitting Minnesota catcher Ryan Jeffers – an impending free agent – is one possible target.

But the Twins are also three games back in the middling AL Central and one game behind for the last AL wild card spot entering Tuesday, so Jeffers’ trade status remains an interesting case.

Mason Miller would be a game-changing addition

And if there’s one huge trade to be made this deadline period, San Diego closer Mason Miller is the all-in candidate, with monumental end-game impact and team control through 2029.

If the Padres are inclined, lefty reliever Adrian Morejon – a free agent after this season – is a solid trade candidate. Plus, the Yanks’ past solid relationships with Luke Weaver and the rehabbing Clay Holmes (leg fracture) puts the Mets in play as a potential trade partner.

How George Lombard Jr. could help Yankees defense

Bellinger’s absence further weakens the Yankees defensively, an overall area that needs to be addressed.

With appreciation of his utility value, Max Schuemann is an infielder playing out of position in left field, where Bellinger’s 19 defensive runs saved this year has boosted one of the league’s best pitching staffs.

For all his hard work and leadership, Amed Rosario is a liability at any defensive position, and he’s been less of a lefty masher this year, batting .197 overall in his last 25 games.

Top Yankees’ prospect George Lombard Jr. has initially struggled to hit each time he’s moved up a level, and you’d be asking a lot for him to debut in a pennant race.

But his plus-defensive skills at shortstop make him a prime candidate for an August call-up, as one more way to bolster the club’s pitching – its primary strength.

At last year’s deadline, the Yankees became a much better team down the stretch, in part, because of third baseman Ryan McMahon’s defensive presence.

Lombard could have that kind of impact even if he bats .208, which was McMahon’s average in 54 games after his arrival last summer from Colorado.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Cody Bellinger injury adds urgency to Yankees trade deadline plans

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