Yankees Rumors: Latest trade talks with Dodgers, Rays foreshadowing roster shakeup

The New York Yankees have been the most active team on the trade market leading up to the deadline, acquiring Ryan McMahon from the Rockies and Amed Rosario from the Nationals. They also traded Carlos Carrasco to the Braves. Don't let Brian Cashman get hot!

We've got more trade rumors hitting the news cycle every 15 minutes it feels like, and the Yankees are involved in more and more. Not too long after they parted with Carrasco, Pat Ragazzo of SI said the Bombers "have emerged as the early front runner" for LA Dodgers starter Dustin May.

That's ... something! May has not been great this year, but he's pitched in a career-high 19 games and is hitting free agency in November. Also, he's shown to have an elite arsenal in the past. If the Yankees buy low on him and help the right-hander get past his struggles, there's a chance this could be a worthwhile option for 2026 and beyond.

On the flip, side, however, all that means is the Dodgers are dumping a distressed asset they do not believe in as they look to upgrade even more aggressively. One of their undesirables could become a key piece for the Yankees, which further emphasizes the gap between New York and the league's top contenders.

Yankees Rumors: Latest trade talks with Dodgers, Rays foreshadowing roster shakeup

But could this also suggest the end of Marcus Stroman's time in pinstripes? If the Yankees acquire May, he'll be their fifth starting pitcher, which might squeeze Stroman out of the picture with Ryan Yarbrough expected to return in August. There's also the possibility Cam Schlittler is traded for the right marquee target. Either way, there's a lot to think about. One of those guys could also move to the bullpen and someone like Scott Effross (or almost anybody else) can be DFA'd. Heck, Will Warren could get traded. They could just go with six starters. We have no idea!

Then we have position player talk. The Yankees have reportedly engaged with the Tampa Bay Rays regarding Ha-Seong Kim, Jose Caballero and Taylor Walls in their quest to find another right-handed bat to play shortstop. This all but confirms Oswald Peraza will be gone in a matter of days. But could it also ... hint at a possible Anthony Volpe option? Probably not, but it can't fully be ruled out even though that feels like it's against everything the Yankees have said to date about the young shortstop. Nonetheless, let the fans dream for a bit.

Outside of Caballero leading the AL with 33 stolen bases, none of this is appealing. Walls is terrible and Kim has played in only 10 games this year. But guess what? That's how bad the Yankees' internal options are. They have to go out and find someone with similarly objectionable statistics in order to improve!

Either way, the speed at which these rumors are surfacing (and how wide they span) suggest the Yankees are about to shake up the roster in a few major ways. It might not be in deals with the Dodgers or Rays, but something's up, and we are about to feel the effects of it.