The New York Yankees will certainly make at least one significant trade between now and the MLB trade deadline. They do it every year.
Last season, they were especially active, swinging deals for Ryan McMahon, Jose Caballero and Amed Rosario while also adding a plethora of bullpen arms.
Will the Yankees be as aggressive this time around?
New York will almost surely address its bullpen, which has been a major source of contention in 2026. It could also afford to add another bat, specifically at catcher or third base with Austin Wells and McMahon both laboring.
You would also think the Yankees would need a bat even more now that Aaron Judge is slated to be sidelined for around two months due to a stress fracture in his ribs.
So, we should probably expect New York to swing big, right? Not so fast.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was asked about the possibility of acquiring a significant offensive piece in Judge’s absence, and he severely tempered expectations.
“If we expect him back, which we do, then I don’t see why that would impact something for the deadline,” Cashman said, via Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. “We’ve just got to hold the fort, hold that spot nice and warm for him when he returns.”
This could mean one of two things.
It could either indicate that New York doesn’t plan on going out and getting another outfielder (hence Cashman saying “hold that spot nice and warm for him”). Or, it could mean that the Yankees don’t feel their lineup needs another bat, even with Judge absent.
If it’s the former, that’s entirely understandable. The Yanks have plenty of options to put in right field for now. But if it’s the latter? Then that’s incredibly disappointing.
The Yankees have already been linked to strong-hitting catchers like Adley Rutschman and Ryan Jeffers, and Isaac Paredes has been floated as a potential target at the hot corner.
Given how questionable New York’s lineup depth has been the last couple of seasons, it stands to reason that the Yankees absolutely should be looking to add another slugger to fortify their batting order and bolster their World Series odds.
But by now, we know that Cashman tends to be pretty conservative, especially when it comes to parting with prospects.
Carlos Lagrange is likely untouchable, and while Elmer Rodriguez and Ben Hess should be on the table, good luck getting Cashman to trade either one.
Jasson Dominguez also seems like a natural trade candidate, especially if Spencer Jones impresses with Judge on the shelf. But the Yankees have kept Dominguez out of trade discussions for years, and they have shown no sign of relenting.
To be clear, things could certainly change in the coming weeks. The Aug. 3 trade deadline is still nearly two months away, so Cashman could have a change of heart. New players may also become available between now and then.
Remember: back in 2024, New York acquired Jazz Chisholm midseason, knowing it needed another power hitter in the middle of its order to support Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and, at the time, Juan Soto.
Perhaps Cashman will come around to that thought again here in 2026?
Let’s be real: the Yanks could use another slugger even with Judge and Stanton both healthy, so Cashman should be searching for one regardless.
Whether or not he actually does it, however, remains to be seen.
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