Yankees Top Five Priorities at the Trade Deadline

The New York Yankees are expected to be one of the most active clubs at the August 1st trade deadline. Here’s a look at what they need to accomplish.

With less than a week to go until the August 1st trade deadline, it’s still not clear what approach the New York Yankees will take. They have not been able to put together a sustained run back into postseason contention in the past month, but they also haven’t completely imploded.

For most of the year, the 2016 Yankees have existed in the murky space between contender and doormat, buyer and seller. All of the major pieces from last year’s Wild Card team remain in place, they just don’t seem to be clicking in the same way.

A 5.5 game deficit for the second Wild Card spot is far from insurmountable. Of course it could be done. But with seven other American League clubs in roughly the same position as the Yankees in the second half, the odds are greatly stacked against them.

Last season, all GM Brian Cashman did at the trade deadline was to swap two minor league spare parts for disappointing utilityman Dustin Ackley. Yes, he kicked the tires on Craig Kimbrel and David Robertson, but ultimately chose to more or less stand pat.

Will the Yankees take a more dynamic approach at this year’s trade deadline? Whether they choose to buy or sell, they have plenty of interesting options. These should be their top five priorities before August 1st.

Next: Dump the Impending Free Agents