New York – Many former New York Yankees players moved to new homes by the July 31, 2025 MLB trade deadline. Each had left the Bronx before Opening Day and returned in new uniforms.
Padres pick up J.P. Sears from Oakland
On July 31, the San Diego Padres acquired ex-Yankees left‑hander J.P. Sears and elite relief prospect Mason Miller from the Oakland A’s for top‑three prospect Leo De Vries and three more arms. Sears started 22 games this season and logged more than 110 innings in his first year with the A’s after winning a rotation spot out of camp. The deal bolstered San Diego’s bullpen and rotation down the stretch.
Harrison Bader lands with Philadelphia from Minnesota
Light‑hitting but elite in center, Harrison Bader moved from the Twins to the Phillies just before the deadline. Philadelphia acquired him to reinforce outfield depth in their playoff push. Bader joined the Yankees on August 4, 2022, and was released on August 9, 2023. He played 96 games with Minnesota this year before the deal.
Rays send Zack Littell to Cincinnati
In a three‑team swap, the Rays traded right‑hander Zack Littell to the Reds. Tampa Bay also sent catcher Ben Rortvedt and minor league pitchers Adam Serwinowksi and Paul Gervase to the Dodgers. It cleared room in Tampa’s rotation and gave Cincinnati a veteran swingman. Littell had started 22 games in 2025 for the Rays.
Zack Littel was once part of the Yankees farm.
Ben Rortvedt dealt to Dodgers
Ben Rortvedt, a 27‑year‑old former Yankees backstop, came to the Dodgers as part of the Littell three‑team swap. Rortvedt showed limited power but solid defense in 26 games, 17 starts. His arrival gives LA catching depth for a crucial playoff stretch.
Padres grab Nestor Cortes from Milwaukee
On the final day of July, the Padres traded for LHP Nestor Cortes and 18‑year‑old SS Jorge Quintana from the Brewers, sending outfielder Brandon Lockridge to Milwaukee. Cortes, a former Yankee All‑Star, had endured elbow problems earlier this year. He rehabbed to post a 1.00 ERA over 18 innings in the minors before the deal.
Brewers acquire Jordan Montgomery in salary dump
Jordan Montgomery moved from Arizona to Milwaukee in a salary‑dump trade ahead of the deadline. The deal cost the D‑backs a modest return and gave the Brewers a veteran rotation arm through August. Montgomery began his career with the Yankees and had returned to the big leagues with Arizona after injuries.
Reds deal for Miguel Andujar from Oakland
Cincinnati added Miguel Andujar in exchange for minor league RHP Kenya Huggins. Andujar played multiple infield positions for Oakland. The former Yankee’s versatility boosted Cincy’s roster depth.
Mariners reinforce bullpen with Caleb Ferguson
Seattle landed left‑handed reliever Caleb Ferguson from Pittsburgh just before July 31 in a trade for prospect Jeter Martinez. Ferguson posted strong rates out of the bullpen in 2025 and improved Seattle’s options late in games. Ferguson pitched 39⅓ innings for Pittsburgh before the trade.
| Player | Yankees Connection | 2025 Trade |
| J.P. Sears (LHP) | MLB debut with NYY in 2022 before traded in Montas/Trivino deal. | A’s → Padres in the Mason Miller blockbuster |
| Harrison Bader (OF) | Yankees player from from 2022 to 2023. | Twins → Phillies |
| Zack Littell (RHP) | Yankees farmhand in 2017. | Rays → Reds |
| Miguel Andujar (INF/OF) | Rookie starting 3B with Yankees 2017–22. | A’s → Reds |
| Jordan Montgomery (LHP) | Yankees’ starter 2017‑22 | D‑backs → Brewers |
| Nestor Cortes (LHP) | Breakout All-Star in 2022 under Yankees. Traded away in the offseason Devin Williams deal in 2025. | Brewers → Padres |
| Ben Rortvedt | Yankees catcher in 2023 | Tampa Bay Rays → Los Angeles Dodgers |
| Caleb Ferguson | Yankees relief pitcher in 2024 | Pittsburgh Pirates → Seattle Mariners |
How the Yankees fared at trade dealine
New York itself was active at the deadline. General manager Brian Cashman pulled off a slew of bullpen upgrades by acquiring David Bednar, Jake Bird and Camilo Doval from Pittsburgh, Colorado and San Francisco respectively.
Jose Caballero was dealt mid‑game from Tampa Bay in exchange for OF Everson Pereira during New York’s late afternoon contest. They also traded Oswald Peraza, who was acquired by the Angels. Infielders Amed Rosario, Austin Slater and third baseman Ryan McMahon also joined the roster in the days leading up to July 31.
The Yankees now possess one of the deepest bullpens in baseball thanks to deadline trades, and have acquired position players from the Rockies, Nationals, White Sox and Rays. The good news: they strengthened their roster. Pitching depth and late‑inning options are essential in August and September.
Ex‑Yankees helped shape redemption stories across the league this summer. In their new homes—San Diego, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Milwaukee and Seattle—each former Bronx Bomber player has potential to make a late‑season impact. Trade‑deadline activity like this shows how even after departing the Yankees, players can still shift the balance of pennant races.
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