Yankees’ top trade targets to address pitching and offense for October
New York Yankees Ben Rice 22 hits a two run RBI double scoring Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger in the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium on Friday, April 3, 2026 in New York City. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUSA NYP20260403531 COREYxSIPKIN
New York Yankees Ben Rice 22 hits a two run RBI double scoring Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger in the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium on Friday, April 3, 2026 in New York City. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUSA NYP20260403531 COREYxSIPKIN
The trade deadline is officially in effect. The New York Yankees' general manager Brian Cashman will be looking to make some trades to give his team a chance in the 2026 season and solve their pitching and offense for the playoffs.
With just weeks left before the trade deadline ends on Aug. 3, here are some of the top trade targets that the Yankees will have in mind.
Injuries continue to pile up for the Yankees, who are without Carlos Rodón, Max Fried, Clarke Schmidt, Aaron Judge, and Giancarlo Stanton.
After the setbacks, SI analyst Devon Platana came up with some realistic trade options.
1. Steve Okert, Astros
Okert is a great piece that the Yankees would want to made a trade for before the deadline. He would be excellent in leading the Yankees bullpen in a better direction. He is having one of the best ERAs (2.22) of his career in 48 relief appearances.
June 19, 2026, Houston, Texas, United States: Houston Astros pitcher Steven Okert 48 pitches in the eighth inning during an MLB game against the Cleveland Guardians on Friday June 19, 2026 at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. The Astros defeated the Guardians 9-3. Houston United States - ZUMAw132 20260619_zap_w132_147 Copyright: xTomxWalkox
June 19, 2026, Houston, Texas, United States: Houston Astros pitcher Steven Okert 48 pitches in the eighth inning during an MLB game against the Cleveland Guardians on Friday June 19, 2026 at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. The Astros defeated the Guardians 9-3. Houston United States - ZUMAw132 20260619_zap_w132_147 Copyright: xTomxWalkox
"Set to hit free agency this winter, Okert is the type of strikeout thrower who'd help point the Yankees' bullpen in the right direction," wrote the analyst.
Okert has the ability to frustrate batters with a 34.2% strikeout rate, and the Yankees would be looking to get him before the trade deadline.
2. A.J. Minter, Mets
The Yankees are watching. He has had a 1.42 ERA and finished 8 out of 19 appearances. He also had a 0.842 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in 19 innings to his credit.
Minter can be a replacement for Tim Hill, who has been having an underwhelming season. A better part, he is already familiar and not alien to the Big Apple.
3. Antonio Senzatela, Rockies
Antonio Senzatela has played his entire career with the Colorado Rockies, and lucky for Colorado, he is having the best season this year. They can use the perfect opportunity to make the most of his impressive outing.
The veteran reliever is having his personal best season with a 3.31 ERA through 30 appearances. He has picked up a 9-2 record while finishing 11 games. He has also allowed only 8.1 hits and 0.6 home runs.
4. Ryan Zeferjahn, Angels
The Los Angeles Angels don’t have Ryan Zeferjahn on their priority list of trading options. However, the way he has been playing, a trade interest has been developing around the pitcher, which the Angels might want to capitalize.
In his third MLB season, Zeferjahn has been one of the Angels' best performers. He is 4-3 with a 3.91 ERA in 40 games. The 28-year-old also had 63 strikeouts over 40 innings, averaging 12.3 Ks per nine IP, a career high.
The Yankees have pitching pieces that would interest the Angels.
What are your thoughts on the trade options? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Nandjee Ranjan
Edited by
Soheli Tarafdar