RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesCHICAGO – The Aug. 3 trade deadline is rapidly approaching, and yet, there’s still plenty of uncertainty.
The standings have a lot to do with that, as 10 teams were less than five games out of a Wild Card spot as of Thursday morning. That’s in addition to teams in possession of a Wild Card and the division leaders.
Because so many teams are technically in contention, many are still debating whether they want to buy or sell ahead of Monday’s 6 p.m. deadline. That’s made for a quiet market thus far, even with a handful of teams deadset on their plans.
The Yankees , banged up and in second place, are among the buyers and want to be aggressive in filling numerous needs. But as they always say, it takes two to tango — sometimes more in the sports world — and not everyone is ready to dance.
As others continue to deliberate, here’s a look at some of the Yankees’ needs, potential targets and some pieces they can move.
CATCHER
The Yankees have been after a right-handed hitting catcher for a while. Will they finally get one who can replace Ali Sánchez and, at the very least, platoon with the lefty-swinging Austin Wells, who has been one of MLB’s worst hitters this season?
The pickings look slim, as far as true impact bats go, and the Yankees are one of several teams looking for a catcher . Other needy clubs include the division rival Rays and Red Sox, as well as the White Sox and Dodgers.
Ryan Jeffers has been of strong interest and has ties to Yankees catching coach Tanner Swanson , but the Twins are in the Wild Card race and have said they want to buy. While Jeffers’ impending free agency could still make trading him for a major league piece palatable, one league source didn’t think that would happen at this point, as Minnesota could just keep the backstop, give him the qualifying offer in the winter, and still get something for him if he signs elsewhere.
Another source said that the Rockies’ new front office considers Hunter Goodman to be a priority player as they look to establish some sense of direction. It would take a lot to get the power hitter, who won’t reach free agency until 2030, and concerns about his defense make him an atypical fit for the Yankees.
The Reds’ Tyler Stephenson has been mentioned as a platoon target, but he’s got reverse splits and isn’t good at framing, a skill the Yankees value immensely behind the plate. The Mets’ Luis Torrens fits in a lesser role and has experience in the Yankees’ organization. So does Alex Jackson, another Twin who is stuck behind Jeffers and Victor Caratini.
BULLPEN
Statistically speaking, the Yankees surprisingly have one of the best bullpens in baseball this season. Still, there is room for improvement and high-leverage help.
While they would love to have Mason Miller , multiple league sources have expressed skepticism that San Diego, in the Wild Card race, will trade the closer, who is under club control through 2029. Still, Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller is unpredictable, and one source said San Diego’s front office is “high on” Yankees prospect Dax Kilby . The shortstop would merely be a piece in a hypothetical Miller deal, though.
The Padres’ Adrian Morejon, an impending free agent, appears more attainable. San Diego is looking for young, controllable starting pitching, and the Yankees have a surplus that includes Will Warren, Ryan Weathers, Clarke Schmidt, Elmer Rodríguez and Carlos Lagrange.
The Cardinals also have some intriguing names in the injured JoJo Romero and Riley O’Brien. The Mets, meanwhile, could trade former Yankee Luke Weaver after signing him over the offseason.
The Yankees could also attempt to boost their bullpen internally. The hope was that Lagrange would do that before he suffered a shoulder sprain. He recently resumed throwing and could factor in by season’s end if he sticks around. So could Warren, Weathers and Schmidt, especially if Carlos Rodón (elbow inflammation) returns and the rest of the Yankees’ rotation stays healthy. That’s a big if, though.
Don’t be surprised if the Yankees deal from their bullpen, either. While Camilo Doval has been a disaster in the Bronx and won’t fetch much in return, a source said a few teams have checked in on him.
OUTFIELD
Injuries to Cody Bellinger, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton have put the Yankees in the market for a bat, especially a right-handed one who can play the outfield . But while Stanton and Judge have uncertain timelines, all three are expected back, meaning the Yankees would eventually have to create space on a roster that also includes the optionable — and tradeable — Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones.
The Royals’ Lane Thomas and the Mets’ Tyrone Taylor, righty-swinging impending free agents who hit lefties and play all three outfield positions, could slide into a fourth outfielder role once necessary. Jo Adell has more power, elite bat speed and is under control through next season. He’s gettable, according to a source, but the Angels also want young pitching. Would the Yankees part with that for a subpar defender who hasn’t been consistent at the plate, especially amid fears that a lockout will cut the 2027 short?
Another possibility is Baltimore’s Taylor Ward, another impending free agent.
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