Yankees Have Three Under-the-Radar Trade Targets That Could Flip Their Season

The Yankees are probably heading into the All-Star break as the top Wild Card team in the American League. That’s fine. But it’s not where they want to be. They want to catch the Rays in the AL East, and they want to make noise in October. Right now, the roster has two clear weak spots: the bullpen and the catcher position.

The rotation is still elite. The lineup has enough pop to survive injuries to Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. But the catching situation is a mess, and the bullpen is basically David Bednar, Fernando Cruz, Tim Hill, and a bunch of question marks. That’s a problem if you’re trying to win a pennant.

Here are three sneaky names Brian Cashman might be dialing up before the deadline.

Ryan Jeffers gives Minnesota a reason to listen

Jeffers just came back from a broken hamate bone in his left hand. That’s the kind of injury that can sap a hitter’s power for a while. But before he got hurt, the 29-year-old catcher was posting an OPS north of .900. He hit 21 homers last year. He’s a right-handed bat, which the Yankees desperately need behind the plate.

The Twins are still in the Wild Card hunt, so they might not want to deal a starting catcher. But if Cashman is serious about upgrading the position — and his frustration with the current production suggests he is — Jeffers could be the guy. It would take a real offer to pry him loose. But the Yankees have prospects. And they have a need.

Aroldis Chapman back to the Bronx? Stranger things have happened

Look, the Red Sox and Yankees don’t trade with each other often. And Chapman’s exit from New York in 2022 was messy. He basically quit on the team. But the guy can still throw 103. And the Yankees bullpen needs a legit lefty with high-leverage stuff.

Bednar is the closer. He’s a righty. Boone likes to match up in the late innings. Chapman gives him that option. He’d also take pressure off guys like Brent Headrick, who has been solid but doesn’t have the raw stuff to overpower lineups.

The history between the two sides is ugly. But Boston might not be a seller by the deadline — they’re hovering around .500 — and the Yankees would have to swallow some pride. If they can, it could work.

Anthony Bender is flying under the radar in Miami

Bender has been quietly excellent for the Marlins. His ERA is under 3.00. He’s got a sweeper that makes hitters look silly and a fastball that touches 97. He walks too many guys, but he also strikes out enough to pitch around trouble.

The problem is Miami. They’re still in the NL East race. If they fade over the next few weeks, they might decide to sell. Bender is a rental, so flipping him for a near-MLB prospect makes sense. If they stay hot, he stays put. The Yankees should be watching that situation closely.

Cashman has a history of making moves at the deadline. The bullpen and catching spots are the obvious areas to address. These three guys are not the flashiest names, but they could make a real difference in October.