Fine-tuning the roster

Summer always brings plenty of chatter as teams in contention look to add pieces to their rosters to get them to October baseball. Meanwhile, NBA and NHL teams use the offseason to try and improve their clubs.
The Mets and Yankees both looked to fine-tune their rosters for postseason pushes. With the Cubs shifting into sell mode, it was the New York teams that split the spoils.
Anthony Rizzo settled in nicely in pinstripes, homering in his first two games as a Yankee. In Queens, Javier Baez crushed his own debut homer, a crucial run in a 5-4 win.
Neither New York team has the easiest path to the postseason. The Yankees sit in third place in what’s easily the hardest division in baseball. They may not be able to hunt down the Rays or Red Sox, but they have plenty of time to lock up a Wild Card spot.
Additions like Rizzo and Joey Gallo make the Bombers’ offense more lethal.
While in first place, injury issues aren’t getting any better for the Mets, especially after Jacob deGrom had a setback in his recovery and will likely remain out until September. The rotation got help as Carlos Carrasco finally made his Mets debut, while also adding Rich Hill and Trevor Williams.
The Amazin’s lineup seems to have cooled off, which is a concern given the pitching situation. With the Philles and Braves on their heels, the Mets need to get back into the groove that got them in first and has kept them there for months.
In the NBA, the next generation of stars were drafted, and with it came a surge in offseason trades and signings. The Knicks made quick moves to bring back Derrick Rose after his phenomenal year at the Garden.
The team also brought back Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel, who were great role players last year. The new addition to the Knicks roster is Evan Fourier, signing a four-year deal to add some much-needed offense.
The Nets traded Landry Shamet to Phoenix for Jevon Carter and the 27th pick, adding LSU’s Cam Thomas. It is the second straight year that Shamet was traded on draft day.
The Nets also made sure to bring back Blake Griffin on a one-year deal, a key veteran presence on the bench. Brooklyn definitely needs to keep working and adding pieces to contend for a title next year, but they’re in a very strong spot.
It’s been a busy summer, but will it be enough?