Five Trades for the Yankees Five Days before the MLB Trade Deadline

 At last years’ Major League Baseball trade deadline, the New York Yankees were 10 games over .500 and four games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the American League East. Almost a year later, the Yankees are 15 games above .500 and just a game and half behind the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the AL East. But the circumstances in which the 2026 Bombers are arriving at the trade deadline are diametrically different from 2025.

Aaron Judge has been on the self with a right rib microfracture since May 31st. Giancarlo Stanton has been dealing with calf issues since April 24th. Cody Bellinger hit the injured list earlier this week and will miss four to six weeks with a grade two hamstring strain. Because of this, the offense is struggling severely. Since June 1st the Yankees have scored 195 runs which is 26th in all of baseball. Since Aaron Boone took over in 2018, the Bombers have routinely finished in the top five of runs scored outside of 2023 in which they finished 25th, the year that Aaron Judge slammed through the bullpen gate in right field at Dodger Stadium injuring his toe in early June. They also finished in 19th in 2021 a year in which they waited until the last game of the year to clinch a playoff and needed to trade for Anthony Rizzo and Joey Gallo at the trade deadline to bolster a fleeting offense.

In years past if Brian Cashman found himself in this spot, he would use the trade deadline to get better on the margins and wait until Judge, Stanton, and Bellinger to get back citing the return of that trio as the best trade acquisitions they could get in the current trade market. Because of the issues behind the plate, in the bullpen, and the lack of right-handed bats, Cashman cannot afford to simply sit on his hands this year. Yes, the Yankees will make the playoffs in a weak American League, but the Yankee General Manager will let his team down if he doesn’t make a few moves to get this team back to World Series contention.  

With the trade deadline five days away, here are five trades that I think the Yankees should make, and could make, before the August 3rd deadline.

Yankees receive Luis Torrens & Luke Weaver from Mets

The Bronx Bombers have a real catching problem. They’ve had this problem since 2021 when Gary Sanchez’ flamed out and the rest of the league realized he will always chase a breaking ball in the dirt. At one point the Yankees had one of the best crops of young catchers in baseball. Over the last five years’ that surplus has slowly dried up to a desert. Austin Wells was once the answer. In 2026 Wells is one of the worst hitters in baseball besides being a good defensive backstop. Luis Torrens was once a part of that catching depth until the Yankees let him go then he signed on with the Mets and flourished in a backup role in Queens immediately. While Torrens isn’t the biggest name on the market behind the plate, he’s someone who knows the organization, has caught some of the pitchers on staff, and knows how to adjust to new circumstances quickly. That is what you need when trying to add a catcher halfway through the season.

The Yankees also have a problem getting hitters to swing and miss when their bullpen arms are in the game. Luke Weaver, another former Yankee, has been one of the most dominant relievers in baseball this year and might be the top relief arm on the market. Weaver could take the set-up role and shorten the game for a dominant starting staff. With that, the Yankees will have to pay top dollar and will also have to add in a “Yankee tax” just like the Knicks needed to do when they traded for Mikal Bridges.

So, in return the Mets would get the Yankees number three prospect right-hander Elmer Rodriguez, number 12 overall prospect left-handed pitcher Kyle Carr, and number 14 prospect shortstop Kaeden Kent. Rodriguez has shown flashes of potential at the big-league level this year when the Yankees needed him to spot start but still must develop better put away pitches before he can be a top of the rotation guy. The Mets have historically been good at developing young arms and are in desperate need of some starting pitching depth. Carr is also a starter and is currently in Triple-A Scranton where he has posted a 4.61 ERA in 13.2 innings with 13 strike outs, seven walks, and 17 hits with the RailRiders. In Double-A Somerset Carr started 13 games and had a 4.32 ERA with 83 strike outs, 27 walks, and suffered 68 hits in 66.2 innings. Kaeden Kent is currently in High-A with the Hudson Valley Renegades and is currently slashing .302/.326/.718 with six home runs, 43 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, 29 walks, and 57 strikeouts in 321 at-bats this season. The Mets had shortstop depth in their system but no longer do and with the possibility of Francisco Lindor’s days in Flushing being numbered, getting a young athlete to man the position would be the necessary tax needed for the Yankees to fill two glaring needs in the Bronx.  

Yankees receive Lane Thomas from Kansas City

In return the Yankees would be sending their 22nd ranked prospect Chase Hampton to the Royals. In 25.1 innings at Double-A Somerset Hampton has a 6.75 ERA giving up 27 hits, walking 22 batters, and striking out 27. After being selected in the 6th round of the 2022 draft, Hampton always showed promise and has been rumored to be waiting in the wings for two years now but has never been able to find his footing in the Yankee system. A fresh start in an organization that has historically been a good spot for young arms could end up making this a win long-term for Kansas City.

The Yankees are in dire need of a bat with aforementioned injuries to Bellinger, Stanton, and Judge with no clear date set for return for any of them. Thomas has postseason experience, can play all three outfield positions, and has some pop from the right side, another need for the Bombers. The downside to Lane Thomas is he isn’t great defensively. According to FanGraphs, Thomas has -10 DRS (Defensive Runs Saved). In BaseballSavant’s OAA (Outs Above Average) he’s at -6. However, Thomas can hit left-handed pitching—which might be his most valuable asset right now slashing .261/.366/.799 in 131 plate appearances for Kansas City.

This move wouldn’t be the sexiest move but it’s an option if Brian Cashman decides to go “all-in” on a separate decision or if the top bats are unavailable at the deadline.

Yankees receive Louis Varland & Myles Straw from Toronto

This trade would also endure a “Yankee tax” given this is an in-division trade and one of the players the Yankees would be getting back has a negative history with the fanbase.

Toronto would be receiving Spencer Jones and the Yankees number 16 ranked prospect right-hander Cade Smith. I understand looking at first glance and seeing Spencer Jones in the trade and being confused as to why so much would be going back to a division rival. Simply put, Varland is a relief ace who can close games, currently 8th in baseball in that category with 22 on the season and has strike out stuff—72 Ks in 52.1 innings. The Toronto fireman also has two years of arbitration attached to him so a step price will have to be met.

Myles Straw isn’t much at the plate, but he’s the opposite of Lane Thomas in the field. According to FanGraphs, Straw is a +1 in DRS and has 4 OAA. But the Straw addition would be nothing more than shoring up outfield defense and hoping to catch lightning in a bottle at the dish.

Yankees receive CJ Abrams from Washington

Now, here is a trade that would move the needle all over the city. In return the Nationals would be acquiring Anthony Volpe, the Yankees 5th ranked prospect left-hander Henry Lalane, and 6th ranked prospect right-hander Ben Hess.

This trade would be a complete departure from reality because Brian Cashman would have to admit defeat on Volpe and face the music. However, the consensus around the Yankee fanbase is that the 25-year-old shortstop needs a fresh start. The experiment of trying to fill short with yet another kid who longed to star at the position has failed. This isn’t an indictment on Volpe, he still can be a productive Major League player, he’s just not Derek Jeter. Washington also needs pitching like humans need air to breathe. The Nationals are 27th in Team ERA with a 4.76 ERA. Henry Lalane with both Low-A Tampa and High-A Hudson Valley has a 2.89 ERA with 93 strike outs, 24 walks, and 49 hits allowed in 71.2 innings pitched. Ben Hess in 14 starts with Double-A Somerset has a 3.94 ERA with 55 strike outs, 24 walks allowed, giving up 39 hits in 45.2 innings.

For the Bombers, Abrams would add the dynamic bat the lineup has been missing. The 25-year-old shortstop is currently tied for 7th in home runs with 27 and leads the Majors in Runs Batted In with 82. Abrams is more than just a power bat; he’s hitting .295 with 38 walks and 19 stolen bases in 26 chances.  

Yankees receive Mason Miller & Fernando Tatis Jr from San Diego

This trade would break the internet. This is also another trade that would bend the limits of the current reality Yankee fans find themselves in. This deal would need Hal Steinbrenner to act like his father by hunting two superstars and giving up the farm. In return the Padres would get Will Warren, Jasson Dominguez, the Yankees number one prospect shortstop George Lombard Jr, number three overall prospect right-hander Carlos Lagrange, and number nine overall prospect left-hander Allen Facundo. This trade would replenish San Diego’s farm system after a few years of blockbuster trades. Lombard Jr has soared through the Yankees system this season going from rookie ball to Triple-A all in a matter of 22 games. In 50 games with the RailRiders the Bombers top prospect has slashed .264/.406/.835 with five home runs, 17 RBIs, 41 walks, and eight stolen bases in 12 tries. Lagrange with Triple-A has a 4.55 ERA with 83 strike outs, 33 walks, and 53 hits allowed in 63.1 innings. Lagrange does have the ability to pitch out of the bullpen, but the Yankees have stressed in trying to make the 23-year-old fireballer a starting pitcher. Allen Facundo with Hudson Valley has a 4.41 ERA with 86 strike outs, 49 walks, and has given up 43 hits in 67.1 innings.

For the Yankees, this trade would instantly place them as the favorites to knock off the Dodgers and win the World Series. This move would also reinvigorate a fanbase that has been apathetic to the regime of Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone. The Death Star would be fully operational. It would not only give the Yanks the best closer in baseball in Mason Miller for three seasons after 2026, but an absolute superstar in Tatis that would fill the void in right field as well as be the straw that stirs the drink in the absence of three former MVP winners. Tatis could also shift back to shortstop, if need be, when/if Judge comes back this season.

At the beginning of 2026 there was talk around the organization of a need for a sense of urgency, so things didn’t end up the same as last postseason. That has been a battle of the course of the marathon of the season. The Captain even admitted in comments in early July “Just a little lack of focus. We just gotta dial it in. Our ultimate goal is to win a World Series. I think guys have to remember that every single day they show up here. We’re here to win a World Series.” It is Brian Cashman’s mission is to be urgent and not waste another prime year of Aaron Judge especially with the complete uncertainty surrounding the upcoming labor negotiations.