Yankees' Top Players to Target and Avoid at 2024 MLB Trade Deadline

The New York Yankees have a 58-40 record at the All-Star break that puts them in the thick of title contention, but they have been struggling over the past month, squandering much of the cushion they built during a 49-21 start to the year.

Despite their recent struggles, they will almost certainly be buyers at the trade deadline, and a versatile infielder who can serve as an offensive upgrade at second base and third base as well as a late-inning reliever to pair with Clay Holmes at the back of the bullpen figure to be their top priorities.

Ahead we've highlighted two players they should target and one they should avoid as a quick overview of how they might approach this year's trade deadline.

Target: LHP Tanner Scott, Miami Marlins

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MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 01: Tanner Scott #66 of the Miami Marlins pitches against the Los Angeles Angels during the eighth inning of the game at loanDepot park on April 01, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

The lone All-Star representative for the Miami Marlins, left-hander Tanner Scott has a 1.34 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 10.0 K/9 in 39 appearances this season while nailing down 14 of 16 save opportunities.

The 29-year-old will be a free agent at season's end, so he is a straight rental, and that should help keep his price tag at a reasonable level even with a long list of contenders likely to be interested.

He would slot into the eighth-inning setup role in the Yankees bullpen, bridging the gap to fellow All-Star Clay Holmes and providing a left-handed complement to Luke Weaver.

Target: IF Luis Rengifo, Los Angeles Angels

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ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 4: Luis Rengifo #2 of the Los Angeles Angels bats during the game against the San Diego Padres at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 4, 2024 in Anaheim, California. The Angels defeated the Padres 4-2. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

With second baseman Gleyber Torres (380 PA, 84 OPS+, .231/.307/.347) and third baseman DJ LeMahieu (135 PA, 43 OPS+, .188/.284/.214) struggling to provide even league-average offensive production, Luis Rengifo is the perfect target to upgrade the Yankees offense.

The 27-year-old is hitting .315/.358/.442 with 19 extra-base hits and 22 steals in 69 games this season, good for a 123 OPS+ and 2.0 WAR while splitting his time between third base and second base.

He also comes with club control through the 2025 season, so if Torres leaves in free agency this winter, he would serve as a built-in replacement for him as the club's starting second baseman next year.

Avoid: DH/OF Brent Rooker, Oakland Athletics

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 14: Oakland Athletics Designated Hitter Brent Rooker (25) reacts to hitting a two run home run as he rounds the bases during the fourth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and the Philadelphia Phillies on July 14, 2024, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Yankees would certainly benefit from adding the run production Brent Rooker has provided this year to the middle of their lineup, as the Oakland Athletics slugger has a 169 OPS+ with 21 home runs and 62 RBI with 3.1 WAR in 82 games.

However, he is a liability defensively in the outfield (-17 DRS, -9.0 UZR/150 in his career), and while he could serve as a short-term replacement for the injured Giancarlo Stanton in the designated hitter role it would be tough to roster both players in 2025.

Much of Rooker's value stems from the fact that he is controllable through the 2027 season, but he would fit better in the Yankees plans as a rental bat, so there is no reason to pay the high asking price he will command.