Yankees Trade Rumors: NYY 'Leaning Toward Buying' at MLB Deadline with Some 'Caveats'

As the New York Yankees try to navigate their way out of the American League East cellar, they are still trying to settle on a direction with the trade deadline looming on Aug. 1.

Per The Athletic's Brendan Kuty, the Yankees are currently "leaning toward" buying at the deadline "with some important caveats."

One of the big caveats is waiting to see how the team plays this weekend in their three-game series against the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

"If they tank against the first-place O's," Kuty wrote, "and if they drop further in the standings, it could weaken how willing they may be to stomach trading valuable pieces for immediate help."

The Yankees are in a difficult spot because their 54-48 record wouldn't suggest a team that's out of contention, but their division is so good that it has them looking up at the other four clubs.

They are still firmly in the think of the wild-card race, just 2.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for the final playoff spot. But this is a deeply-flawed roster whose issues have been further exposed since Aaron Judge injured his toe against the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 3.

In 42 games since June 4, the Yankees rank last in MLB in batting average (.220), 27th in on-base percentage (.296), 26th in slugging percentage (.374) and 29th in runs scored (163).

One reason the Yankees might be waiting until this weekend to make any trade-deadline decisions is because Judge is expected to be activated from the injured list prior to Friday's series-opener against the Orioles, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Even if the Yankees have a good weekend and decide to buy, Kuty did note higher-ups in the organization "don't envision" adding much in terms of payroll to avoid the highest luxury-tax surcharge.

New York's tax payroll currently sits at $296.9 million, just under $4 million over the 60-percent surcharge level.

Kuty also noted the team will "draw a line" at dealing top prospects, including Jasson Dominguez and Everson Pereira.

The Yankees were cited as a potential Shohei Ohtani destination, but Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci reported Wednesday the Los Angeles Angels were taking the three-time All-Star off the market before the trade deadline.

New York has made the playoffs in each of the past six seasons, with three trips to the American League Championship Series during that span. The team hasn't played in a World Series since winning its last title in 2009.