ST. PETERSBURG -- There were several text messages exchanged by members of the Yankees’ traveling party in the hours after Tuesday’s 4-3 victory over the Rays, with word circulating that pitchers Luis Cessa and Justin Wilson had been traded to the Reds.
The deal netted the Yankees a player to be named later and appears to be a precursor to a move to come in advance of Friday’s 4 p.m. ET Trade Deadline, freeing approximately $1.4 million in salary. Gerrit Cole is among those curious about what could come next.
“It’s always an exciting time,” Cole said. “Unfortunately, sometimes it means you have to say goodbye. It’s a time that is typically filled with optimism and anticipation. There are pros and cons, but it’s generally exciting.”
As general manager Brian Cashman and the baseball-operations team continue to work the phones, Cole said that trade talk has been unavoidable within the clubhouse walls -- their televisions are frequently tuned to MLB Network, and social-media gossip makes for good conversation within the players’ lounge.
“There’s always chatter,” Cole said. “It’s probably the same chatter that’s going on outside -- what are we going to do? And then there’s a time to turn it off and then lock in for the game.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that saying goodbye to Cessa and Wilson was “bittersweet,” and he wished the pitchers well in Cincinnati.
“You grow an attachment to your players,” Boone said. “They’re the guys you go to battle with. Hopefully it’s a good situation that they are potentially walking into.”
Boone said he speaks to Cashman several times each day about topics related to the current roster. During those chats, Cashman will sometimes drop hints about negotiations he has in the works, or ask Boone’s opinion on a player.
“I know he's hard at work,” Boone said. “They’ve got the war room set up here, and they're doing everything they possibly can to put us in a good position. I know they're exploring every option. There’s complicated things to every potential deal. I’ll let him do his job right now. Hopefully, in the end, we're a little bit better.”
Glove story
Giancarlo Stanton has not played an inning in the outfield since Game 1 of the 2019 American League Championship Series against the Astros, a streak that will remain intact until at least Friday.
Boone briefly entertained the idea of having Stanton play defense during this Rays series, but has decided he would prefer to wait until the July 30-Aug. 1 Interleague set against the Marlins in Miami.
“I’m leaning toward not doing his first one on this [Tropicana Field] turf,” Boone said. “We’ll see where we are at the end of the night. Things have a way of changing and evolving, but right now I’m leaning more towards just Miami.”
Boone said Stanton took early batting practice on Wednesday. In 10 games since the All-Star break, he batted .179 (7-for-39) with a double, homer, four RBIs and 18 strikeouts against six walks. Boone said that Stanton’s issues are mechanical.
“Hopefully it will get him locked in and rolling again,” Boone said.
Bombers bits
• Clint Frazier (vision issues) continues to receive treatment from sports neurologists in Michigan as the Yankees aim to find the source of his dizziness. Frazier could rejoin the club in New York on Friday, at which time a Minor League rehab assignment will be discussed.
• Luke Voit (left knee inflammation) remains on track to return to the lineup during this road trip. Voit worked out during batting practice on Wednesday and could have live at-bats on Thursday at the Trop.
This date in Yankees history
July 28, 2015: The Yankees allowed five first-inning runs, then scored 21 unanswered runs -- including 11 in the second inning -- to post a 21-5 win over the Rangers in Arlington. It’s the first time in history that a team led by at least five runs after a turn at bat, then trailed by at least five runs going into their second turn.