Yankees Fall Behind AL East Lead, Seek Trade Deadline Pitching Upgrades

The New York Yankees are currently struggling, having fallen out of first place in the American League East after a poor run of recent games and the loss of starter Clarke Schmidt to a season-ending injury requiring Tommy John surgery. This situation has intensified the pressure on GM Brian Cashman to make key acquisitions at the July 31 trade deadline, focusing on bolstering the bullpen, adding a starting pitcher, and acquiring a right-handed hitting third baseman, though these needs are challenging to fulfill without depleting minor league talent. Potential trade targets include Texas Rangers players Josh Jung and left-handed reliever Hoby Milner, who could provide upgrades if the Rangers decide to sell amid their underperformance this season. The Yankees have also been linked to Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen, whose recent strong performance has sparked trade interest despite his reluctance to leave Arizona. Additionally, talks around acquiring third baseman Eugenio Suarez remain possible, while the Yankees face challenges in pursuing Pittsburgh's All-Star Bryan Reynolds, who has included the Yankees on his no-trade list. Overall, the Yankees maintain an 85.8% chance of reaching the postseason, but significant roster moves are expected to improve their playoff viability.