Here are the pressing questions facing the Yankees as the unofficial start of the second half of the season is set to begin Friday:
How many of their weaknesses can they address at the trade deadline?
Brian Cashman outlined the Yankees’ lengthy list last week: a starter, bullpen help and an infielder.
That’s a lot to ask for at one deadline, especially when there are far more buyers than sellers and the inventory is not exactly overflowing.
Even if, say, the Diamondbacks trade Eugenio Suárez, the Yankees will face plenty of competition for the third baseman.
And just about every team is looking for a starter and/or reliever, too.
Top prospect George Lombard Jr. figures to be untouchable, but everyone else could be in play depending on what kind of returns the Yankees can pull down by July 31.
What version of Luis Gil returns from the IL?
It’s been a long road back for the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, and he still has a few more boxes to check before he gets to a big-league mound — at least three or four more rehab starts as he builds up his pitch count.
But assuming Gil does get back in early August, it’s probably not realistic to expect him to immediately be the pitcher he was last season.
How close he gets to that by the end of the season could dictate just how far the Yankees go.
The last month-plus heading into the All-Star break was a brutal one for the Yankees shortstop, who fell into a lengthy slump (12-for-96 with a .420 OPS in his past 27 games) while having a number of defensive miscues.
The 24-year-old has been a streaky hitter throughout his three seasons in the big leagues, but his defense falling into a slump at the same time as his bat has raised cause for concern.
Perhaps the break can serve as a reset of sorts because the Yankees need a more consistent Volpe on both sides of the ball in the second half.
