Yankees Still Exploring Trade Market for Versatile Shortstops Ahead of Deadline

The Yankees may be focused on pitching ahead of the trade deadline, but that doesn’t mean they’re done looking for more help on the position player side.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Yankees are still seeking a right-handed bat with some positional versatility, ideally someone who can handle shortstop in a pinch and offer value through speed or defense.

This isn’t Plan A. The priority remains arms. Sherman at least one starter and two relievers, including a lefty—but the club wants to deepen and balance a roster that’s felt rigid and top-heavy. The idea, as Sherman puts it, is to “build a deeper, more versatile and more functional positional group.”

One possibility? Minnesota’s Willi Castro. The Yankees have long liked him, and he checks a lot of boxes: switch-hitter, plays multiple spots, has speed, and hits well from the right side. That's a skill that matters more since Saturday, when we learned Aaron Judge is dealing with an elbow injury. Castro could be part of a multi-player deal if the Yankees also try to add a reliever like Danny Coulombe, or even reach higher for Jhoan Duran or Griffin Jax.

Other names linked to the Yankees include Pittsburgh’s Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Tampa Bay’s Taylor Walls and Jose Caballero, and Boston’s David Hamilton. Each brings some combination of maneuverability, speed, and positional coverage. The Rays’ Ha-Seong Kim, Taylor Walls and Jose Caballero have also been discussed. 

If the Yankees do swing a deal for a player like Castro and Judge returns on schedule, the roster would shift quickly. Oswald Peraza, who has not proven he can be an MLB player, would likely be designated for assignment. J.C. Escarra could be sent down if the Yankees believe Ben Rice can back up Austin Wells.

That gives the Yankees more options and balance for October.