ESPN insider reveals Yankees priority at MLB trade deadline

ESPN insider reveals Yankees priority at MLB trade deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The New York Yankees are heading towards the 2026 MLB trade deadline with a clear need at a few different spots. Another righty-hitting outfielder, a new catcher, and some bullpen help all would be useful for the Yankees.

But, which of those needs do the Yankees require the most? It’s an interesting question, and one that the Yankees need to answer themselves to figure out where they should allocate the most resources.

ESPN’s Buster Olney revealed the Yankees’ trade deadline priority this summer, indicating that the team’s bullpen is the top need for Brian Cashman and the Yankees.

Yankees trade deadline priority is bullpen help

“But bullpen help is the priority, and if the Yankees can get a Miller or a Morejon, they might have the sort of pitching staff that could win in October,” Olney writes.

The Yankees could use a huge upgrade at the catcher position, with Ryan Jeffers of the Minnesota Twins or Hunter Goodman of the Colorado Rockies are great trade targets.

But, Olney is reporting that the Yankees’ top trade deadline priority this summer is in the bullpen. It’s a fair assessment, as this bullpen really needs some help to be truly World Series caliber.

Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres would be the dream pickup, and there’s been enough smoke about such a deal that Yankees fans can at least hold out hope for Milelr until the deadline passes or Miller is dealt elsewhere.

MORE: Yankees are ‘leading candidate‘ to trade for Twins‘ Ryan Jeffers

More realistically, the Yankees will wind up targeting Adrian Morejon, also from the Padres, as a late-inning relief option to bolster the bullpen.

Luke Weaver, A.J. Minter, and Brooks Raley of the New York Mets wouldn’t be terrible options either. There are plenty of others who’d be a big help for the Yankees this summer.

While they could end up adding catcher and outfield help this summer, the Yankees’ top priority at the 2026 MLB trade deadline, according to Olney, is the bullpen.

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