Sports Illustrated | Max Goodman: If there’s one constant in Brian Cashman’s career, it’s that he’s always willing to get involved at the trade deadline. The Yankees GM is always one of the busiest people in the game this time of year, but he insists that even with the Yankees on top of the AL East by a wide margin, his plans for Aug. 2 haven’t changed. The team will likely continue to look to make marginal additions, but the jump to 15.5 games hasn’t dramatically changed the strategy. NJ.com | Bridget Hyland: One of those improvements, though likely little more than a marginal addition, could be Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Brian Reynolds. The price tag for the 2021 All-Star would be too much, and any discussions surrounding Reynolds would have to start with at least Jasson Dominguez, if not a better prospect as a centerpiece. New York Daily News | Kristie Ackert: Gerrit Cole has a problem with Rafael Devers, as the Red Sox third baseman took him deep twice Thursday night to reach six career hitters against him, walking the only time he came in plate. Wandy Peralta, meanwhile, had no problem facing Devers, creating a weak pitch, the latest chapter in what has been a very underrated run for the lefty reliever. He owns a sub-2.00 ERA without the dazzling strikeout rate we’ve come to expect from modern relievers. New York Post | Ian O’Connor: Despite the dominance the Yankees have shown in their division — again, entering today 15.5 games up — the next three teams in the AL East will hold the three Wild Card spots. Year in and year out, the East is the best division in baseball, and while it appears the Yankees are destined for a showdown with the Astros in October, it could end up being a division rival standing in their way.
