The New York Yankees entered 2025 with championship expectations, coming off an American League pennant in 2024. But their quest to return to the World Series is being derailed by a barrage of injuries and underperformance in key areas.
What’s ailing the Yankees?
The pitching staff has been hit hardest. Ace Gerrit Cole underwent Tommy John surgery before Opening Day, and young right-hander Clarke Schmidt is facing the same fate. Mid-rotation options have also vanished: Luis Gil hasn’t thrown a pitch due to a lat strain, and veteran Ryan Yarbrough landed on the injured list in late June with an oblique injury.
As general manager Brian Cashman lamented, the Yankees’ rotation and bullpen have been decimated.
“Whether it’s bullpen guys or starting pitchers, it’s just all of it… we have people that are capable, but I think it also needs to get some help,” Cashman said of his staff’s condition.
Indeed, roughly half a bullpen’s worth of relievers are on the IL for New York, including key arms lost in just the past few weeks.
Offensively, the Yankees are not firing on all cylinders either. Their lineup that started the season strong has tapered off as the summer has progressed. After posting an .829 OPS in April, the team fell to .719 by June. Recent slumps by offseason acquisitions like Paul Goldschmidt and Trent Grisham – both of whom cooled after hot starts – have contributed to the downturn.
Yankees’ hot corner trouble persists
Nowhere is the offensive hole more glaring than at third base. The Yankees’ experiment to plug Jazz Chisholm Jr. in at third failed to stick. Chisholm, an All-Star second baseman by trade, was stretched out of position and has openly said he’s “elite” at second base, preferring to play his natural spot. After Chisholm was shifted back to the keystone this week, veteran infielder DJ LeMahieu – who had struggled defensively and was deemed not physically capable of manning third anymore – was released. That leaves the hot corner in the hands of inexperienced players.
Former top prospect Oswald Peraza is an excellent defender, but as manager Aaron Boone admitted, “It’s been a struggle offensively” for him. Peraza’s batting line sits at a meager .152/.220/.254, and his 37 wRC+ ranks near the bottom of all MLB hitters with 140+ plate appearances. Another rookie, Jorbit Vivas, is hitting just .156 in limited action. Such lack of production has made third base a black hole in the lineup. In short, injuries and inconsistency – from the mound to the batter’s box – are obstructing the Yankees’ championship run.
Trade deadline needs
All these ailments set the stage for a pivotal trade deadline as July 31 approaches. The question in the Bronx isn’t if the Yankees will buy, but what they should buy. Do they shore up a depleted pitching staff, or inject life into a sputtering offense? The honest answer may be both.
Pitching depth has understandably become priority number one for Cashman and his staff. The Yankee rotation’s 3.69 ERA still ranks a respectable eighth in MLB, but that number is misleading when two contributors (Schmidt and Yarbrough) are now out of the picture. Behind co-aces Max Fried and Carlos Rodon – who have performed brilliantly – New York is relying on a rookie (right-hander Will Warren, 4.70 ERA) and a recently injured veteran (Marcus Stroman, 7.45 ERA in five starts) to round out the rotation.
The bullpen, meanwhile, has been patched together after a string of injuries to key relievers like Fernando Cruz, Mark Leiter Jr., Jake Cousins, and Yerry De Los Santos. It’s no wonder that, when asked about deadline plans, Cashman highlighted pitching: “Whether it’s bullpen guys or starting pitchers… that’s the area… it needs to get some help.” The Yankees simply need arms – plural – if they hope to navigate the second half and October.
Yet it’s equally clear the offense needs a jolt. Despite a solid 51–41 record (second in the AL East as of the All-Star break), New York’s lineup has lacked its usual firepower of late. The team’s run production in June and early July dipped markedly, and the absence of a reliable bat at third base is a big reason why.
“We could use some help,” Cashman acknowledged regarding the infield – a thinly veiled reference to third base, where stopgaps haven’t worked. The Yankees have scored plenty overall this season, but much of that came in early spurts; as consistency wanes, there’s a growing sense that one more impact hitter could steady the ship.
Aaron Judge remains the linchpin of the offense, but even he can’t carry the lineup alone if others continue to slump or get hurt. A middle-of-the-order bat to fortify the run production might be what the Bronx Bombers need to “get over the hump” and ensure the offense doesn’t go quiet when it matters most.
Yankees front office strategy
The Yankees’ front office is approaching this deadline with a mix of urgency and pragmatism. Cashman and his team are scouring both the pitching and hitting markets, assembling what one might call a long shopping list of potential targets.
However, any acquisitions will occur against an ominous financial backdrop. New York is a third-time luxury tax payer in the top penalty bracket, meaning they pay a staggering 110% tax on the average annual value of any incoming player’s salary.
In practical terms, that makes pricey additions doubly expensive. For example, star pitcher Sandy Alcantara, often speculated as a trade candidate, would cost the Yankees about $12.5 million in luxury tax fees just for the final two months of 2025 (on top of paying his salary).
An even bigger name like Jacob deGrom, with a $37.85M AAV, would be virtually prohibitive – he’d come with an eye-popping ~$27 million tax bill for two months, not to mention the $75 million owed on his contract in 2026-27. Those kinds of blockbuster moves seem unlikely given the financial pain involved.
Managing partner Hal Steinbrenner has hinted at budget limits, famously suggesting he doesn’t view a $300 million payroll as sustainable. The Yankees are brushing up against that threshold now. Still, Steinbrenner has told Cashman to present any and all scenarios – essentially, don’t rule out a player just because of cost – and pledged to judge big acquisitions case by case. In other words, the wallet could open for the right opportunity. This aligns with the Yankees’ recent trade philosophy: they will flex financial muscle when a move might put them over the top, but they’re also mindful of long-term consequences like the tax and preserving top prospects.
New York’s farm system has some high-end talent, but the club appears hesitant to deal away its very best prospects unless the return is a game-changer. The front office will likely try to balance short-term needs with future planning – adding help without mortgaging the future. That could mean targeting pending free agents or underperforming veterans (who come cheaper in trade) rather than young superstars who’d drain the farm. It’s a delicate calculus for Cashman: bolster the 2025 Yankees for a title push, but do so in a financially and organizationally responsible way.
Bat or arm? The smarter move
Given the state of the roster, what’s the more prudent deadline acquisition for New York – a big bat or a big arm? The case for pitching is strong. October baseball often rewards teams with dominant pitching depth, and right now the Yankees simply don’t have enough reliable arms. “It’s clear that the Yankees don’t have enough,” ESPN analyst Chris Canty observed, arguing that the team’s struggles stem largely from a lack of pitching depth. An elite starter at the front of the rotation or a lockdown reliever in the bullpen could pay huge dividends in a pennant race.
With Cole gone and several relievers shelved, an infusion of quality pitching might be the only way to stabilize the team for the grind ahead. Cashman’s public comments underscore that sentiment – pitching is the top priority internally. One more dependable starter would take pressure off the bullpen (and off rookies like Warren), and an experienced high-leverage reliever could solidify the late innings, especially with injuries thinning the relief corps.
On the other hand, the argument for a bat cannot be ignored. The Yankees know too well how a cold offense can doom a postseason run. In recent weeks, the lineup’s inconsistency has been a red flag: as noted, team OPS has steadily fallen each month. New York’s offense has at times been overly reliant on the long ball and on a few star hitters.
Adding a contact-oriented hitter or another power threat could lengthen the lineup and insure against the slumps of others. In particular, a proven run-producer at third base or in left field (positions of need) would fill the current void. If the Yankees stand pat offensively and continue getting a .150-ish batting average from the hot corner, even a fortified pitching staff might not carry them to a title.
The smarter move, then, might actually be a combination: acquire a solid arm and a bat if possible. But if forced to choose one path, the Yankees must weigh what will make a bigger impact in October. Given the state of their rotation and bullpen, an impact pitcher may provide a greater marginal upgrade to the roster at this moment. Pitching is the backbone of playoff success, and shoring up that backbone is arguably the wiser play.
That said, neglecting the offense is a risk – a balance is ideal. The Yankees’ best bet might be to trade for an arm first, while also pursuing a reasonably priced bat to ensure the lineup doesn’t lag behind. In Cashman’s own words, “that’s the area” that needs help – but the Yankees will not ignore any avenue to improve.
Top trade targets
With multiple needs, the Yankees have been linked to a bevy of potential trade targets as July 31 approaches. On the offensive side (bats):
- Ryan McMahon, 3B, Rockies: A switch to the Bronx could be in store for McMahon, a solid defender with left-handed power. The Yankees have “shown interest” in the Colorado third baseman as an answer to their hot corner woes. McMahon brings 20-homer pop and a reliable glove, though prying him from the Rockies may not be cheap given he’s under contract beyond 2025.
- Eugenio Suarez, 3B, Diamondbacks: Suárez might be the most readily available power bat at third. Arizona is teetering in the playoff race and could move the impending free agent. Suárez is having a resurgent season, hitting .254/.324/.564 with 26 home runs so far. He’d instantly give the Yankees the slugging third baseman they currently lack. His expiring contract and Arizona’s situation make this a realistic match.
- Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B, Pirates: For a more defense-first approach, New York could inquire on Hayes. The Pirates’ young third baseman is an elite defender and under team control long-term. Pittsburgh would demand a significant prospect haul, and Hayes isn’t a proven middle-order hitter yet, but the Yankees have him on the radar as an “other trade candidate” for the hot corner.
- Nolan Arenado, 3B, Cardinals: The biggest name of the bunch, Arenado would be a blockbuster acquisition. St. Louis is reportedly listening after a down year. Arenado’s pedigree as a star slugger and multiple Gold Glove winner fits New York’s win-now ethos. However, his large contract and full no-trade clause (not to mention the Cardinals’ high asking price) make this a complex pursuit. Still, if the Yankees want a proven postseason bat, Arenado is a dream target that’s at least been mentioned in industry circles.
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa, INF/UTIL, Pirates: A familiar face in the Bronx, Kiner-Falefa is now with Pittsburgh and could be a modest, versatile pickup. The Yankees know what he offers: steady defense at multiple positions (including third) and contact hitting. He won’t transform the lineup, but as a depth upgrade he’s one name floated as available. IKF would be a low-cost move to stabilize the infield.
On the pitching side (arms):
- Zac Gallen, RHP, Diamondbacks: If the Yankees swing big for an ace, Gallen could be atop their list. The 2024 Cy Young runner-up is having an uncharacteristically middling 2025 (5.15 ERA), but his talent is undeniable. Both Gallen and teammate Merrill Kelly (3.41 ERA) are pending free agents, and if Arizona sells, either could be moved. Gallen would give New York a co-ace alongside Fried and Rodón, instantly elevating the rotation’s playoff credentials. The cost in prospects would be hefty, but the reward could be a true No. 1 starter for the stretch run.
- Merrill Kelly, RHP, Diamondbacks: A steadier, veteran option from Arizona, Kelly is quietly one of the NL’s more reliable pitchers. With a 3.41 ERA through 19 starts, he profiles as a solid No. 2 or 3 starter – exactly what the Yankees need to cover for Cole’s absence. Kelly won’t dominate like Gallen can, but he’d come slightly cheaper and bring playoff experience. He’s very much on New York’s radar if the D-backs make him available.
- Kyle Hendricks, RHP, Angels: A veteran innings-eater and former World Series champion, Hendricks is an interesting trade candidate. The Angels are hovering around .500 and could sell off expiring deals. Hendricks (owed roughly $1 million for the rest of 2025) is a classic rental who won’t cost much in trade. He’s not the flamethrower he once was, but his big-game experience and control could stabilize the Yankees’ back end of the rotation.
- Freddy Peralta, RHP, Brewers: Here’s a more ambitious target. Milwaukee is currently contending, but there’s speculation they might be open to dealing Peralta to retool. The 27-year-old has electric stuff (2.0 fWAR this year) and is affordably under contract. Acquiring Peralta would be a bold stroke – it’d give the Yankees another high-octane arm under control through 2026. It’s a longer-shot scenario (the Brewers would need to be wowed by the offer), but New York could explore it if other options falter.
Of course, the Yankees are also eyeing relief help. Names like Jordan Hicks or other setup men could be in play, but the marquee debate centers on the big bat vs. arm question. Cashman has indicated he’ll be active on all fronts, and the next three weeks will determine just how aggressive the Yankees get in pursuing these targets. With a playoff spot within reach and World Series aspirations on the line, the Bronx Bombers know they cannot afford to stand pat. Bat or arm? The likely answer is a bit of both – a strategic strike to fortify the rotation or bullpen, and a calculated move to upgrade the lineup’s weakest link. The clock is ticking toward the deadline, and the Yankees’ moves (or misses) in the coming days could very well make or break their 2025 season.
What do you think?
