All eyes on Cashman as Yanks seek additional support on Deadline day 

NEW YORK -- The Yankees took care of business on the field Sunday afternoon at Wrigley Field, surviving another close contest to complete a 10-game road trip that featured more than its share of nail-biters. They boarded their charter bound for New York, trusting the front office to handle the rest.

Major League Baseball’s Trade Deadline is 6 p.m. ET on Monday, and the Yankees have already made a couple of moves entering the final hours. Most notably, Luis García Jr. will soon take his first swings in pinstripes, expected to provide thump for an offense that has sorely lacked it of late.

Gerrit Cole will be among those watching closely to see if general manager Brian Cashman and his staff are able to bring in additional help.

“It’s one of the blessings about playing for the Yankees,” Cole said in Chicago. “The organization is always pushing forward and doing their best to improve the team whenever they get the opportunity to. As a Yankee player, it’s a beautiful position to be in. You can just trust what the organization has done over the years.”

The Yanks’ Deadline activity began on Saturday, when right-hander Camilo Doval was dealt to the Pirates for two prospects: catcher Omar Alfonzo and outfielder Luis Cruz.

Though the bullpen has been a strength, high-leverage arms remain on their shopping list. Based upon his recent performance, it was clear Doval no longer fit into that mix; a swing-and-a-miss from last year’s July deal with the Giants.

Cashman then moved to bring in a bat, albeit one without an obvious positional fit. García provides left-handed muscle, posting a .283/.313/.560 slash line with 23 homers and 76 RBIs for Washington this season. His .560 slugging percentage led the National League.

It’s unclear how he figures into a first base mix alongside All-Star Ben Rice and veteran Paul Goldschmidt -- especially if, as the Yankees have indicated, they have no plans of returning Rice to catcher this year.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he was “really excited” by the acquisition of García, who was born in New York before moving to the Dominican Republic at age 3.

"He's been a hitter that's really come of age this year,” Boone said. “Really, [García is] one of the best left-versus-right hitters in the National League this year. We think he fits our ballpark very well and should help. Hopefully he’ll give a little jolt to our offense, which has obviously scuffled here a little bit over an extended period. So we're excited about him, hear great things about him, and can't wait to see him impact our lineup."

Still unsettled is how the Yankees plan to move pieces around once Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton are all healthy; that is a task for down the road, though Stanton is scheduled to participate in live batting practice on Monday at Yankee Stadium, a good sign as he aims to return from a second right calf strain.

The landscape around the Majors has shifted considerably over the last 24 to 48 hours. Arguably no move has been bigger than the Dodgers’ acquisition of two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal from the Tigers, improving their chances of winning a third straight World Series.

The Yankees’ remaining priorities include a catcher, relief help, and an outfield bat. They are linked to several catchers, aiming to upgrade a position where they rank 29th in OPS (.559).

One intriguing possibility is the Orioles’ Adley Rutschman, with Baltimore reportedly willing to listen and not opposed to dealing within the American League East. Controllable pitching would likely be the asking price. Rockies All-Star Hunter Goodman, the Twins’ Ryan Jeffers and the Reds’ Tyler Stephenson are also on the radar.

The Padres’ Mason Miller remains a dream target, though San Diego’s recent surge could have taken him off the board. The Padres’ Adrian Morejon has also drawn interest, while the Yankees scouted Clay Holmes’ most recent Minor League rehab start with the Mets. A Luke Weaver reunion is also possible.

Jo Adell’s name has surfaced in Yankees circles. He belted 37 homers for the Angels last season, but his production has dipped this year. Adell would offer a right-handed bat and outfield versatility, with the Phillies also reported to be interested. The Orioles’ Taylor Ward, the Cardinals’ Lars Nootbaar and the Giants’ Heliot Ramos are among the other potential fits.

Boone said on Sunday he finds the reporting about which teams have checked in on players to be “funny,” noting, “You never know how these things are going to shake out. You just know that obviously the organizations are all knee-deep in this stuff right now and trying to find matches where you can.”

That includes the Yankees, who have their executives, scouts and analysts hunkered down at their complex in Tampa, Fla., intending to send a few new pieces toward the Bronx before first pitch on Monday.

“The reality is, it’s part of the business,” Boone said. “We know this day is coming every year. We’ll see what happens [Monday], and then it’s our job to put ourselves in position to get to October.”