NEW YORK — The MLB trade deadline is just under two months away, and contending teams are beginning to assess their needs in order to acquire pieces that could enhance their chances of winning a World Series title.
Heading into tonight’s game against Boston, the New York Yankees hold first place in the American League East by 5.5 games over the Toronto Blue Jays and trail the Detroit Tigers by 1.5 games for the best record in Major League Baseball. Despite entering the 2025 season with several roster concerns, the Yankees have emerged as one of the top teams in baseball through the first week of June.
Even though the New York Yankees appear solid, they still have weaknesses and will need to address key areas at the trade deadline to become an undeniable force in the American League and Major League Baseball overall.
With the trade deadline less than two months away, it is standard for teams to begin evaluating their needs for the stretch run. According to sources around the team, the New York Yankees have begun this process and have established a list of priorities.
Priority #1: Starting Pitching:
The New York Yankees have had a need for a starting pitcher since the beginning of the season — not due to any shortcomings by the front office, but because injuries to Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil disrupted the team’s plans to be a pitching-first club.
The Yankees expect to get Luis Gil back around the All-Star break, and Marcus Stroman — whether for better or worse — is progressing toward a rehab assignment. However, they could still benefit from acquiring a solid number three starter to slot behind Max Fried and Carlos Rodón. This move would allow Ryan Yarbrough to return to the bullpen and would likely make Will Warren the odd man out, as he still has minor league options remaining.
As teams begin to fall out of contention, two clubs that were on the verge of becoming postseason contenders — the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Atlanta Braves — appear to be intriguing trade partners. One potential option from the Diamondbacks is right-handed pitcher Merrill Kelly, who is 6–2 with a 3.43 ERA this season. What makes Kelly especially appealing is his postseason track record, having posted a 2.25 ERA across four starts (25 innings). Kelly is also set to become a free agent after the 2025 season, which could lower his trade cost.
Priority #2: A Right-Handed Bat:
The Yankees entered the season with a clear need for a right-handed bat in the middle or bottom of their lineup, and that need still remains. Oswald Peraza is coming off a three-hit game and has showcased exceptional defense, but his offensive production has yet to emerge. Additionally, DJ LeMahieu has not performed at a high level since returning from injury.
The need for a bat will be crucial down the stretch, as postseason pitching typically makes it more difficult to generate offense. One option familiar to Yankees fans is Isiah Kiner-Falefa of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Kiner-Falefa, who played for the Yankees from 2022 to 2023, was a solid contributor during his tenure in New York. His bat has improved since joining the Pirates, where he is currently posting a .301 batting average, a .348 on-base percentage, and a .731 OPS. Kiner-Falefa would be a valuable addition to the lower third of the Yankees’ lineup, adding depth and consistency.
Priority #3: Bullpen Help:
Bullpen help is not the Yankees top priority this season for many reasons. The first, the Yankees bullpen, despite a bad start to the season from Devin Williams, has been solid overall and the Yankees have options in the minors ready to go at any point if they need the help. Pitchers like Scott Effross, Clayton Beeter and JT Brubaker are all solid options the Yankees can turn to if they need some help in the bullpen.
One external option that might interest the Yankees is Jake Bird of the Colorado Rockies. With the Rockies not in contention, it would be wise for them to consider acquiring two or three prospects — or possibly Marcus Stroman — in exchange for assets that could help build for the future. Bird has posted a 1–1 record with a 1.53 ERA across 35.1 innings this season. Most notably, he has struck out 42 batters in that span, making him an appealing option for the back end of the Yankees’ bullpen.