3 unexpected Yankees that can't be ruled out of trades ahead of 2026 deadline

The trade deadline is nearly here, and the New York Yankees have plenty of work to do. This is a team that has some real needs and is facing some serious competition. The pesky Tampa Bay Rays have been around all along, but now the resurgent Boston Red Sox are making things even more hectic in the AL East.

There are some, like Ken Rosenthal, who believe the Yankees' trade deadline outlook depends greatly on Aaron Judge's injury status. The team has thankfully provided us with a great deal of clarity on that issue — oh wait ... they've been as vague as ever regarding when we can expect the three-time MVP back in the fold.

New York should realize that the window with roster tentpoles (Judge and Gerrit Cole) is more closed than open and they must go all-in to avoid squandering this era of Yankees baseball completely. If that happens, it could mean a sea of change is in store for the roster. Bold trades? Upgrades at the margins? It's all in play.

But we also can't rule out some surprising deals with unexpected trade candidates to change the team's fortunes.

Yankees could trade these star players if they want to go full throttle at trade deadline

Jazz Chisholm Jr.

It's been a confounding walk year for Jazz Chisholm Jr. From lollipop gate to clutch late-inning homers to defensive lapses, he's been all over the place this year. The Yankees have been linked to Luis Arráez, who has insisted he only wants to play second base if traded.

That would be impossible with Chisholm Jr. still on the roster. However, despite the issues that Jazz has had this season, he's still a dynamic talent on an affordable, expiring contract. The market for hitters is very thin, with many of the top options potentially unavailable as their clubs jockey for playoff positioning in an incredibly crowded race.

With that in mind, the Yankees could have the rare opportunity to flip Chisholm Jr. for another big league piece to solve a need elsewhere on the roster. This only works if they can land Arráez, but it's in the realm of possibility.

George Lombard Jr.

Some believe that George Lombard Jr. is untouchable, though he might be the only player in the farm system to receive that distinction. New York certainly doesn't want to trade its top prospect, but what would happen if the right deal presented itself? As legendary NFL head coach and executive Bill Parcells once said, "Sit down. Listen to me. Everybody has a price. My own wife can get traded.”

Through that lens, Lombard isn't a guarantee to stay. It might only be in a Mason Miller type of trade that Brian Cashman parts with him, but at a certain point, a team with World Series urgency and an aging roster must go all-in if it wants to win a ring. Lombard Jr. shouldn't be on the move for just anyone, but if he can help land a controllable game-changer, then the Yankees should pull the trigger. If the Yankees go after a controllable shortstop like Zach Neto or CJ Abrams, they'll have even more reason to ship out Lombard Jr. Are we advising that? Not quite, but that's what the price might look like.

Carlos Rodón

Starting pitching is always in high demand, and the Yankees have a surplus of arms with Carlos Rodón nearing a return from the IL. He's not the only one coming back, either, with Clarke Schmidt on the mend from last year's Tommy John surgery.

As things are currently constructed, the top three in the rotation are etched in stone with three aces in Cam Schlittler, Gerrit Cole, and Max Fried. Rodón would at best be the No. 4 starter. Given the surplus, New York could look to consolidate, shipping out a controllable starter like Will Warren or Ryan Weathers as part of a package to land a fourth ace like Tarik Skubal.

Should that happen, Rodón would find himself on the outside looking in of the playoff rotation. His salary is pretty hefty at $27.8 million per season, but with only two years left beyond this season, it's not as onerous as it once was. With that in mind, another club with a greater need for a No. 2 or No. 3 starter could consider Rodón, helping the Yankees go big in other areas.

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