4 final trade predictions for the New York Yankees on deadline day

If the New York Yankees do not trade some of their Rule 5 eligible players — who they risk losing for nothing this offseason — in exchange for pitching on trade deadline day, I will scream.

Thankfully, even Brian Cashman isn't silly enough not to add pitching to this group after reinforcing the lineup and bench with Ryan McMahon, Amed Rosario, and Austin Slater.

While he's already done damage to the Yankees' chances by not acting with intent and bringing in a reliable piece to stem the tide (and the Yanks are short-handed on Thursday vs. the Rays because of it), he can undo all the spittle and anger by making a few shrewd slight overpays on Thursday.

This could look foolish in a few hours, but entering the deadline's final hours, here's how we see things unfolding.

4 final trade deadline predictions for New York Yankees

Yankees make bold-ish trade for Pirates closer David Bednar

Jack Curry singled out Bednar on Wednesday night for good reason; when he speaks to endorse an option rather than refute one, it's usually because a deal has been substantially discussed. Bednar is on an absolute heater in Pittsburgh, and while he went through a difficult year-long slump in 2024, he'd be the highest-upside closer the Yankees could bring on at this point in time. It'll cost 'em, but we know the Pirates are scouting Carlos Lagrange. Add Roc Riggio for some MLB-ready thump and JC Escarra and call it in?

Yankees thicken rotation with Merrill Kelly addition

Probably the boldest prediction here, but bringing in a battle-tested rental to knock Cam Schlittler/Will Warren to the playoff bullpen seems like Cashman's priority, especially after Jon Heyman's early-morning tweet. Merrill Kelly or Charlie Morton would fit the bill here. If this were "pessimistic predictions," I'd say I'm more confident the Yankees will nab a few bullpen pieces than I am that they'll figure out the rotation.

Yankees' talks with Twins finally bear fruit with bullpen deal

The Yankees have been talking with the Twins forever, and won't be adding Jhoan Duran or Harrison Bader. Sometimes, nothing comes of extensive discussions, but I can't shake the rumored reality of these two teams circling one another for weeks now. Danny Coulombe is the lefty reliever who sticks in my brain; he's a rental with a 1.16 ERA in 31 innings.

The media carries water for Brian Cashman, hyping up existing pieces

The "Luis Gil, Fernando Cruz, and Mark Leiter Jr. are basically trade deadline additions" narrative will be tolerable, as long as the Yankees bring in a few arms to supplement them. Genuinely, those three returning would be very helpful! But the Yankees can't let them be the be all, end all. Hard not to think the media will let them get away with it, though, if Brian Cashman doesn't pull a few triggers.