3 players Yankees need to trade for that could wind up stolen by AL East rivals

The New York Yankees should be in buyer mode ahead of the MLB trade deadline, at least if you ask their fans. These wishlist players could be sent elsewhere.

At last place in the AL East ahead of the August 1st trade deadline, there may be a real debate as to whether or not the New York Yankees should be buyers at the MLB trade deadline on August 1st. The Yankees, year-in and year-out, are expected to compete. They’re a “winning” franchise, we’re told.

This year has been anything but, as their position in the standings should make abundantly clear. New York is 2-8 in its last 10. With limited time to make up ground, adding talent, especially expiring contracts, might mortgage the future since New York would presumably have to give up coveted players in its farm system pipeline.

FanGraphs gives the Yankees a 28% chance of making the postseason.

But fans, of course, don’t want Brian Cashman to hold back. They want to see this team keep pressing on until they are mathematically eliminated. So the expectation, still, is to keep adding.

Baltimore Orioles are one of few teams who could get a monster deal done for Shohei Ohtani

A total mic drop moment could happen this trade deadline if Shohei Ohtani truly is up for bidding. While my earnest belief is that the Angels are merely opening up to hear if they can get a white whale of a trade offer for the generational two-way superstar, and that he’ll remain in Anaheim the rest of this year, Ohtani on the move is a discussion that’s happening.

If he does get traded, it will need to be a monstrosity of a deal. Convincing the Angels to risk becoming the team forever known as the franchise that traded away one of the best baseball players of all time is going to require a hefty price tag.

The Baltimore Orioles are one of the few teams who could pay that price.

CBS Sports recently ranked all teams based on how well-positioned each team is for an Ohtani deal. The Orioles ranked second because, “Between MLB and Triple-A, the Orioles have more high-end infielders than roster spots.”

That said, the Orioles future is bright because of the pipeline they’ve built up. Ohtani would be fun for a few months, but it’s not worth selling the whole future on. Not to mention, they currently lead the AL East even without Ohtani. No doubt they would be better with him, but that doesn’t mean they need him.

The Yankees want Ohtani, in free agency or a trade. Perhaps fairer to say that every team wants Ohtani, and the Yankees are in that mix along with 29 others.

It’s hard to see the Yankees leap-frogging the Orioles in this order, but ultimately, the most likely outcome on this front is Ohtani staying put until he hits free agency this winter.