Yankees' Final Guide, Ideal Targets for 2024 MLB Trade Deadline
The New York Yankees are locked in a tight battle with the Baltimore Orioles atop the AL East standings, and while their overall record is impressive, their recent play has raised some questions about their second-half outlook.
The offense has been inconsistent beyond Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, while the starting rotation has regressed and the bullpen is a bit thin ahead of All-Star closer Clay Holmes.
This year's trade deadline is on Tuesday, July 30. Teams will have until 6 p.m. ET on the day to put the finishing touches to their roster for the stretch run.
Ahead we have taken a closer look at their buyer vs. seller decision while also highlighting a pair of ideal targets to address their roster needs.
Buyers or Sellers?
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There is little doubt the Yankees will be hunting for outside additions at this year's trade deadline, but the question is who they can realistically expect to acquire.
A recent report indicated that they are open to trading top prospect Spencer Jones, but his stock has dropped considerably this year amid a poor season at Double-A that includes an ugly 37.1 percent strikeout rate. Jeff Passan of ESPN took it one step further in reporting that fellow top prospect Jasson Dominguez is also potentially on the table in the right deal.
Beyond those two top-tier outfielders, the system has been riddled with disappointment and injuries this year, so building a legitimately competitive package for someone like Garrett Crochet could be difficult.
However, they have more than enough prospect capital to add some needed infield depth and another quality arm to the bullpen.
Ideal Target: RHP Lucas Erceg, Oakland Athletics
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The Yankees bullpen ranks 19th in the majors with a 22.9 percent strikeout rate, so finding a late-inning reliever who can consistently miss bats should be a priority.
Oakland Athletics flame-throwing closer Mason Miller is going to come with an astronomical price tag, but one of his primary setup relievers could be a more affordable answer.
Right-hander Lucas Erceg has a 3.89 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 11 holds in 36 appearances, and he has struck out 26.2 percent of the hitters he has faced this season for a 10.1 K/9 punchout rate.
The 29-year-old started his pro career as a third baseman before moving to the mound, so despite his age, he still has club control all the way through the 2029 season.
With a fastball that averages 98.4 mph and a wipeout slider that has limited opposing hitters to a .067 average, he has prototypical late-inning stuff and would provide a very different look from sinkerballer Clay Holmes in the late innings.
Ideal Target: IF Luis Rengifo, Los Angeles Angels
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Luis Rengifo has looked like the perfect trade target for the Yankees all summer as they continue to get inconsistent offensive production at second base and third base.
- 2B: .655 OPS, 19th in MLB
- 3B: .604 OPS, 28th in MLB
The 27-year-old is hitting .314/.357/.439 with 19 extra-base hits and 22 steals in 70 games, and he has split his time defensively between second base (217.2 innings) and third base (329.0 innings).
He is also controllable for one more year via arbitration, so if Gleyber Torres walks in free agency, he would provide a potential in-house replacement.
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