“Pencils down.”
Brian Cashman uses the expression often in reference to the trade deadline. Because after 2018, MLB eliminated waiver trades between Aug. 1-31. That left the non-waiver portion as the last time you can externally improve your team.
So at 6 p.m. on July 31, it is “pencils down.” The test is done. If you lose your starting shortstop on Aug. 1, good luck. Cashman recently promised “to go to town” before the deadline. The Yankees’ head of baseball operations believes he has the bones of a repeat AL champion. But also “areas on this team that need fixing” — third base, rotation and bullpen.
The market is fluid. Wins and losses over the next 10-ish days will impact who buys, sells and how much. Let’s examine the three areas for best Yankees outcomes and Plan Bs:
