Yankees’ Brian Cashman sheds (some) light on trade deadline plans

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NEW YORK — New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is typically guarded when speaking in public. He’s been in his role for 27 years — the longest among active GMs. He knows that it’s best to reveal little about his intentions, particularly when it comes to roster considerations. He doesn’t want to disadvantage his club, no matter how obvious its needs may be, but he also doesn’t want to lie. He knows that in a media market like New York City’s, frauds get found out.

So, often, Cashman will offer long and winding answers when asked about the status of the Yankees and the dealings of his front office. But listen closely enough, and the 58-year-old will drop hints.

Except this time, Cashman came out and said what was on his mind when asked how the Yankees will try to upgrade before the July 31 trade deadline.

“I definitely will look to see if I can find a (starting pitcher), despite getting some real quality starts from others who have stepped up,” Cashman told reporters Wednesday. “Certainly, you would love to import a starter, some relievers, because our bullpen has obviously been taxed and some injuries. And, yeah, an infielder as well, if possible.

“But that’s a long list, and I’m not sure this will be a deep deadline or not. So I don’t know how active we can be. But we will try to be active.”

Cashman was speaking to reporters after the club revealed it had designated veteran infielder DJ LeMahieu for assignment. The Yankees still owed the 36-year-old approximately $22 million through next season.

More from Brian Cashman on DJ LeMahieu. pic.twitter.com/RETuAat9hB

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) July 9, 2025

Moving on from LeMahieu further emphasized to the Yankees that they need to add another infielder, and that it would almost certainly have to be a third baseman with the club telling Jazz Chisholm Jr. that he would be moving back to second base. The plan, manager Aaron Boone said, is for Oswald Peraza and rookie Jorbit Vivas to share third base for the foreseeable future.

Here’s what else we gleaned from Cashman’s comments.

‘We’re going to town’

Cashman wasn’t shy about saying the Yankees would need help. He said they had been “beatable” lately. It’s true. They led the American League East by seven games on May 28. On Wednesday, they were in second place, three games back of the Toronto Blue Jays. They have had two separate six-game losing streaks since June 13.

“We’re going to town,” Cashman said. “We’re going to do everything we possibly can to improve ourselves and try to match up, and hopefully at the end of it all, we’ll have whatever is here on this current roster remaining healthy, and we’ll add to it and be proud of that and take our shot.”

Cashman knows the Yankees would have to suffer a precipitous fall not to be buyers at the trade deadline. They were also two games up in the AL wild-card race Wednesday, and Aaron Judge is putting together yet another special season, leading the sport in OPS (1.207) and batting average (.360) with the second-most home runs (34).

Biggest weakness?

Cashman pointed to one spot on the roster that needed serious improvement.

“It’s always pitching,” he said.

He brought up losing two starting pitchers for the season to Tommy John surgery: Gerrit Cole in spring training and Clarke Schmidt over the weekend. The GM also noted how reigning AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil hasn’t returned from a strained lat, though he should be back not long after the All-Star break.

“Whether it’s bullpen guys or starting pitchers, it’s just all of it,” he said. “That’s the area. We have people that are capable, but I think it also needs to get some help. And if I can do so, great. But again, there’s no guarantees.”

What Cashman didn’t say

Cashman reverted to his guarded stance when asked whether he would have financial flexibility at the deadline. The Yankees’ payroll stands at $309 million, according to Cot’s Contracts. That was about $6 million down from 2024, according to Cot’s.

Cashman said that owner Hal Steinbrenner says to bring every proposal to him, even if he suspects it may be too expensive, in case Steinbrenner decides he wants to splurge.

“Hal has always told me, ‘Do not assume anything,’” Cashman said. “‘Make sure you take everything through me. Explain the thought process by the group and keep me informed. I’ll make the final call.’ Meaning he will make the final call.”

Cashman also sidestepped when asked if the Yankees would need to take “big swings” to catch up with the Blue Jays.

“We’ll see how the next three weeks or so play out,” he said. “But I’m always interested in adding something that’ll have big impact, that’ll supercharge us, but I think that’s true every year for every team.”

He ducked when asked if the Yankees have any untouchable prospects. The club figures to be loath to move top prospect George Lombard Jr., a 20-year-old at Double A. But former top prospect Spencer Jones and several of their promising arms who are further away from the majors (Bryce Cunningham, Ben Hess, Carlos Lagrange) figure to be on the table for the right price.

“Some are less touchable than others,” he said. “Some are more touchable than others.”

(Photo of Brian Cashman in 2023: Vincent Carchietta / USA Today)

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