Cashman lists out Yankees’ trade targets this summer, but infield laxity visible

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The July 31 trade deadline remains two months away, but New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has already outlined his priorities. Top of the list: more pitching depth and a solution at third base. Even with one of baseball’s stronger rotations, the Yankees aren’t settling for the status quo.

In a recent interview, Cashman pulled no punches about the Yankees’ direction, confirming what many around the league suspected — the Bronx Bombers are actively exploring deals, and their primary target is no surprise: pitching.

“Always pitching, pitching, pitching, whether that’s adding to the rotation or adding to the bullpen,” Cashman told SiriusXM MLB Network Radio recently. The mantra reflects his decades-long approach to deadline deals.

Yankees’ rotation tops Cashman’s trade blueprint

The Yankees have weathered a brutal injury storm yet maintain elite pitching numbers. Their 3.45 team ERA sits fifth in the American League as of Sunday. That performance becomes more remarkable given the roster devastation.

Ace Gerrit Cole remains sidelined for the entire 2025 season following Tommy John surgery. Reigning AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil has been out since spring training with a lat strain. His return won’t come until July at the earliest.

Marcus Stroman hit the injured list in April with knee troubles. No timeline exists for his comeback. The Yankees also designated Carlos Carrasco for assignment earlier this month after poor performances.

Max Fried has delivered Cy Young-level dominance, boasting a league-leading 1.29 ERA through 11 starts. Carlos Rodon, after a shaky start to the season, has rediscovered his All-Star form with the most strikeouts in the American League. Will Warren, once an under-the-radar depth arm, has come into his own — posting a 2.05 ERA across his last four outings with 33 strikeouts.

Still, depth is thin. The back end has rotated between Ryan Yarbrough, Clark Schmidt, and Warren. While serviceable, it’s clear the Yankees don’t want to head into the second half with this group alone — especially with playoff ambitions.

“The top of our rotation is excellent,” Cashman noted. “But we don’t have five right now. We need more than three guys we can trust every five days.”

The bullpen ranks fourth in the AL with a 3.29 ERA despite losing 2024 standout Jake Cousins for the full campaign.

Cashman refuses to rely solely on current personnel. “Adding to the pitching is important,” he stressed. No championship contender can afford complacency.

Potential deadline additions surface

Early trade speculation has produced several Yankees targets. The pitching market remains fluid, but names are emerging, as reported by NJ.com’s Randy Miller.

• Tyler Anderson (Angels): The southpaw has compiled a 2-1 record with a 3.60 ERA across 10 starts this season.
• Nick Martinez (Reds): His 2-5 record masks solid underlying numbers. The right-hander carries a 3.43 ERA through 10 outings.
• Kyle Finnegan (Nationals): The closer has converted 15 saves with a 2.41 ERA in 19 appearances. He offers bullpen stability.

These options fit the Yankees’ typical deadline profile. They seek value and depth rather than splashy, expensive acquisitions.

Others making the trade buzz include Sandy Alcantara (Marlins) and Freddy Peralta (Brewers).

Sandy Alcantara? Not so fast

One name floated frequently is Sandy Alcántara, the Marlins’ ace and 2022 NL Cy Young winner. While Alcantara is having a subpar year by his standards, the rebuilding Marlins are expected to deal him — but likely not until his value rebounds.

Though there’s mutual interest, insiders suggest the Yankees are hesitant to part with top prospect George Lombard Jr. or other prized assets midseason.

“I don’t think the Yankees pull the trigger on Sandy — not now,” said MLB insider Rick Polanski. “They love the idea, but not the price tag.”

Instead, Cashman may target mid-tier arms or contract-year veterans — cost-controlled but playoff-tested pitchers — as temporary upgrades.

3B vacancy likely to miss the trade bus

Pitching leads Cashman’s wishlist, but infield needs have grown pressing. The hot corner became a problem area after Oswaldo Cabrera’s season-ending ankle fracture on May 12.

“We’ll clearly look at the infield,” the Yankees GM told.

However, he chose to maintain flexibility while monitoring player health and development. His preferences somehow indicate laxity on the infield needs.

“Now that DJ LeMahieu has come back and he looks like he’s hopefully in a position to help us,” Cashman said. “We’ll see where we sit when we have everybody flying high.”

DJ LeMahieu has assumed third base duties since returning from his own injury. He showed signs of life in Saturday’s 13-1 victory over Colorado, collecting three hits. Still, LeMahieu is finding his groove after the layoff. Through 10 games, he’s batting .233 with one home run and three RBI.

Oswald Peraza provides stellar defense but offers little offensively. The infielder is hitting just .167 with two homers in 32 games. He’s struck out 20 times in 72 at-bats.

Rookie Jorbit Vivas earned a late-April promotion from Triple-A. He’s primarily handled second base while Jazz Chisholm Jr. recovers from an oblique injury. Chisholm should return in June, potentially shifting Vivas into a utility role.

Chisholm, once tasked with learning third base on the fly, had moved back to his natural spot at second before the injury. He was in a prolonged slump when sidelined, hitting just .181 with a .714 OPS — though still providing occasional power.

Cashman was optimistic about his progress.

“Jazz feels great and is on track. We expect him back soon,” he said. “We’ll reassess when we’re healthy.”

Third base remains a weak link. The Yankees haven’t had stability at the hot corner since trading for Chisholm. With LeMahieu fading and Chisholm shifting between positions, a corner infielder with pop and defensive reliability could be on the radar.

Timeline remains flexible

Cashman isn’t rushing toward any premature moves. More than two months separate now from the deadline. “It’s hard to say just yet,” he acknowledged. “I think we have some time.”

The trade market typically crystallizes after mid-July. Borderline sellers will clarify their intentions by then. The Yankees sit atop the AL East and are projected as legitimate World Series threats. Their deadline approach centers on enhancement, not desperation.

“The market just doesn’t declare itself or develop in terms of what opportunities really exist until after the draft,” Cashman explained. “So who knows what we may need or who knows what we might not need? It’s just premature.”

One constant remains unchanged. “The one thing everybody always needs is pitching,” he repeated. “No matter how much pitching you have, you can always add to it.”

Though New York sits atop the division, the message from Cashman is clear: the Yankees are not satisfied.

The trade deadline may still be weeks away, but the gears are already turning in the Bronx.

“We’re not going to stand still,” Cashman said. “We’re always looking to improve — especially when we’re close.”

If history is any indication, the Yankees could move fast and early — especially with needs as obvious as pitching and infield depth.

A trade is coming. The only question now is who — and when.

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