Yankees MLB trade deadline primer: 3 early storylines to watch

After finalizing a 2025 roster that no longer included superstar Juan Soto, New York Yankees officials expressed confidence that this years team was not only deeper and more balanced but also better than the 2024 squad, which made the franchises first World Series appearance since 2009.

At the time, it seemed like empty words.

How could a team that lost one of the best players in the sport, an American League MVP finalist, be better? But those officials, so far, look smart.

Advertisement The Yankees have the second-best record in the AL (41-25), trailing only the Detroit Tigers, and the best run differential in the majors.

Their offense has the highest Weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+) and the most home runs in the sport.

Their main pivot after losing Soto to the New York Mets in free agency, Max Fried, has a 1.84 ERA and is an early contender for the AL Cy Young Award.

The Yankees have dropped a few frustrating series, but at this stage, its hard not to think of them as World Series contenders.

That doesnt mean the Yankees roster is perfect.

They need at least one more bullpen arm and could use upgrades in the infield and starting rotation ahead of the trade deadline on July 31.

Trade discussions among most clubs wont truly heat up until after the All-Star break in mid-July.

Here are three storylines to monitor over the next seven weeks: 1.

What is Steinbrenners appetite to spend more? Before the season began, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said dropping below the fourth and highest luxury tax threshold was not a concern to him.

But the Yankees were actively trying to trade starter Marcus Stroman to shed as much of his $18.5 million salary as they could.

Doing so would have put the team below the $301 million threshold.

Perhaps the Yankees could have used Stromans salary to upgrade the roster elsewhere, but they chose not to add another right-handed hitter despite general manager Brian Cashman telling reporters at the end of spring training he would feel better about the team if he were to get another bat.

Steinbrenner has been adamant that he doesnt believe a payroll over $300 million has any correlation to winning a title.

Only three teams since 2009 have ranked in the top three in payroll and won a championship: the 2018 Boston Red Sox, 2020 Los Angeles Dodgers and 2024 Dodgers.

According to Cots Contracts, the Yankees have MLBs third-highest payroll behind the Dodgers and New York Mets.

Advertisement Does having a huge payroll really increase my chances that much of winning the championship? Steinbrenner said in February.

Im not sure theres a strong correlation there.

Having said that, were the New York Yankees, we know what our fans expect.

Were always going to be one of the highest in payroll.

Thats not going to change.

And it certainly didnt change this year.

The Yankees currently have a $308 million payroll, according to Cots .

Every dollar spent over $301 million is taxed at a 110 percent rate.

Unless the Yankees are able to shed salary, adding key contributors at the deadline will be costly for Steinbrenner.

To use Steinbrenners words, though, these are the New York Yankees were talking about.

Steinbrenner wont need to file for bankruptcy if they add to their payroll.

This team is very good.

Adding one or two key contributors could be the difference between a title and another empty year.

He should open the checkbook if Cashman and the front office believe a move will help.

2.

How will LeMahieus performance impact their decisions? Can DJ LeMahieu keep this up? LeMahieu had a career-worst year in 2024, posting a 52 wRC+ after starting his season late because of a foot injury.

If youre reading this, you had more fWAR than LeMahieu did in 2024.

Had the Yankees designated LeMahieu for assignment last season, no one would have questioned the front office.

Its early, but there are positive signs that LeMahieus start isnt flukey.

He has the highest barrel rate and average exit velocity of his career.

If he keeps it up, theres no reason to believe he cant be an above-average hitter for the rest of the season.

Injuries are the chief concern at this stage of LeMahieus career.

He hasnt been able to stay healthy, and the Yankees probably should not count on him to remain at this level considering his recent poor track record.

But if they believe this is real, it makes the need for another infielder less of a priority.

The Yankees could choose to upgrade Oswald Perazas roster spot, but they would need to acquire someone who could play shortstop because hes the current backup.

Advertisement 3.

How many pitchers do they need? The Yankees bullpen has not pitched well since May 1.

Over that span, their bullpen ERA is the sixth-worst in MLB.

Ian Hamilton, Fernando Cruz and Jonathan Loaisiga have underperformed during this stretch and the team has missed Luke Weaver, who was placed on the injured list in early June.

Weaver (hamstring strain) isnt expected back for a few more weeks, so someone in this bullpen needs to rise.

So far, no one has.

Devin Williams has pitched better than he did at the start of the season, but he still doesnt look as sharp as he did with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Mark Leiter Jr.

has had a couple of tough outings since the start of May.

Hamilton has a minor-league option remaining, so the Yankees could call up a pitcher from Triple A, like Clayton Beeter, or they could insert JT Brubaker into the bullpen when he completes his rehab assignment in the coming days.

But, in all likelihood, the Yankees will look to the trade market to add a reliever.

Since 2020, the Yankees have traded for at least one bullpen arm at the deadline.

Even in the disastrous 2023 season, the Yankees lone deadline move was trading for reliever Keynan Middleton.

The Yankees also have to decide if they view adding a starter as a need.

In all likelihood, Fried and Carlos Rodon would be their Games 1 and 2 starters in October, but who would be their No.

3? Can they count on Luis Gil to return from a lat injury that has sidelined him all season? Is Clarke Schmidt consistent enough to get the ball? Do they trust Will Warrens upside? These are questions the front office likely will ask over the next seven weeks.

Starting pitching prices at the deadline in the expanded playoff era have been high, but the Yankees should seriously consider adding to their rotation.

(Top photo of Brian Cashman: Brad Penner / Imagn Images).

This article has been shared from the original article on theathleticuk, here is the link to the original article.