Note: This is a three-part article series.
Major League Baseball has set the 2025 trade deadline for Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 6:00 PM ET. This marks a return to a July 31 deadline (rather than early August) for the first time since 2019. All clubs, including the New York Yankees, will have until that evening to finalize trades that could shape their postseason fortunes. With the Yankees in contention once again, the approaching deadline focuses attention on how they can bolster their roster for the stretch run.
General Manager Brian Cashman and his staff several more weeks to evaluate the team’s trajectory and negotiate improvements. As of June 11, 2025, the Yankees sit at 40-25, leading the Toronto Blue Jays by four games in the American League (AL) East Division. Despite elite performances by Aaron Judge, Max Fried and Carlos Rodón, the Yankees’ first half has exposed some roster weaknesses.
Despite a solid collective ERA in the mid-3s, the Yankees’ relief corps lacks the lockdown assurance of years past. The surprising emergence of Luke Weaver temporarily masked Devin Williams’ struggles, but with Weaver hurt and Williams still finding his footing in New York, acquiring a proven high-leverage reliever (or two) is a top priority. Whether it’s a late-inning closer type to tandem with Weaver, or a versatile setup arm, the Yankees will seek bullpen help. Their recent history (trading for Zack Britton, David Robertson, Tommy Kahnle, Scott Effross, etc.) shows a willingness to fortify the pen for October.
The most glaring hole in the lineup is either second or third base. The Yankees have gotten well below-average offensive output from third base, and the internal options have recently forced Jazz Chisholm Jr. to switch positions from second base to third. The fact that the Yankees wanted to start Jazz at second to start the year, could very well indicate that trade for a starting third baseman could be on the horizon. Expect the Yankees to be active in the market, because standing pat with the current options would be a risk to their lineup’s consistency come playoff time.
Beyond those two primary needs, the Yankees could look for a utility infielder and perhaps a starting pitcher. The team’s depth will be boosted by Giancarlo Stanton and Marcus Stroman’s returns in the coming days but given the age and injury history on the roster, an extra bench bat or rotation insurance wouldn’t hurt by any means. The Yankees have been creative in recent years, for instance adding an extra outfielder or a defensive specialist, so nothing is off the table.
Nonetheless, Yankees are in familiar territory as buyers at the deadline, aiming to turn a division-leading club into a World Series favorite. With a savvy front office and a willingness to spend and trade prospects in pursuit of a title, the Yankees are expected to be the headline-makers at this year’s deadline. If they can shore up these few weaknesses, the Yankees will position themselves as a formidable, well-rounded squad entering the pennant race.
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