“Incomplete.”  When Manager Aaron Boone was asked about the first half of the Yankees’ season, he didn’t shy away from sharing his real thoughts. At the same time, the ever-so-reflective GM Brian Cashman also couldn’t hide how “Beatable” the team looked entering the final 66 games. Despite the following facts holding true for New York, their expected win-loss record of 22 games over .500 does make it feel like they have been underachieving-

• They led the AL East by seven games in May and stand in second place, three games back of the Toronto Blue Jays,
• They have the ninth-best record in MLB, 
• They have the second-best run differential,
• They are 10 games over .500,

Moreover, you cannot ignore that they have had two separate six-game losing streaks since June 13. And injuries have become more of an annual tradition to their pitching staff. On the IR, they now have Carlos Rodon, ace Gerrit Cole, and breakout arm Clarke Schmidt. Granted, their tumble is a result of loopholes in multiple positions, from third base, in the starting rotation, and in the bullpen. But their biggest weakness? Cashman believes “It’s always pitching.” And with that belief, they’ve been targeting $22M All-Star pitcher as the trade deadline on July 31 inches closer.

According to baseball insider Francys Romero, “Carlos Estévez might be one of the bullpen pitchers drawing the most interest. Teams like the Yankees have been keeping an eye on him in recent months, per sources.” And we can see why.

This year, Estevez has played over 42 innings, delivering a steady 2.36 ERA. Moreover, his success leans heavily on a rising fastball and a wicked slider that keeps hitters off balance and often results in clutch performance. And now, with a 1.31 WPA to his name, Estevez has been a worthy performer.

Some of his key metrics have started to slip– the strikeouts are going down, the walks are up, and the fastball doesn’t quite have the same zip. But despite the regression, Estevez has remained a high-wire act that gets the job done. The Royals, who are paying him $11 million a year through 2026, might just be tempted to pick up that club option for 2027 if he keeps delivering in the big moments. On the other hand, if Estevez lands in New York, he will come with a catch for the Yankees– his age!

He is 32 now, and that is showing up in his performance. Notably, swing-and-miss stuff that made him so effective in 2024 has taken a step back this year. Moreover, he averaged 96.8 MPH last season, but that’s down to 95.4 MPH this year. So, surely the Yankees are not looking for a long-term solution with Estevez, but as a stopgap solution, that might just work. However, Estevez is not the only name the Yankees are pursuing!

The Yankees are putting in some serious effort to land a few names

A few pitching names are rumored to be with the Yankees, just as the trade deadline is nearing. After Estevez, it’s the Pirates’ second starter, Mitch Keller, currently standing with a 3-10 record, but that doesn’t tell the full story. With a 2.6 fWAR and a 3.48 ERA this season, Keller offers more than what is needed for the Yankees now.

Since 2018, he’s only landed on the IL once, and that was during the shortened 2020 season. And this year, he’s tied for the most starts in the majors with 20 and ranks fourth in the NL with 119 innings pitched. Moreover, durability is also on his side. Hence, Keller’s well-rounded arsenal could bring a fresh dynamic to the Yankees’ rotation if they explore a trade for the right-hander. If not him, Cashman has more options.

Marlins’ ace Sandy Alcantara is also rumored to go with the Yankees. Well, Alcantara brings some serious heat with a fastball that averages around 97 mph, mixing in both a four-seamer and a sinker. He rounds out his arsenal with a slider, changeup, and curveball, and has a knack for getting hitters to put the ball on the ground. On top of that, he’s still just 29, relatively affordable at $17.3 million this season. That makes him a pretty appealing option for the Yankees in need of a dependable arm. Although his 7.22 ERA since returning from TJ surgery is a concern.

Hence, the Yankees are associated with multiple names to work on their pitching woes. While nothing is concrete yet, a few new names are expected to land in New York. But again, when it is the Yankees, speculations largely go in vain.