The numbers do not lie—and right now, they are glaring back at the Yankees with concern. Since mid-June, the Yankees have stumbled to an 11–19 record, the fifth-worst in all of MLB during that period of that stretch. For the team with playoff expectations, such a slump is not just disappointing, it is alarming. Their current record of 53–44 (.546) could still place the team within contention; however, the freefall has exposed serious cracks.

As per ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian, time is running out to patch them. “The Yankees have to do something,” Kurkjian highlighted and pointing toward the Diamondbacks as the Yankees’ most realistic lifeline.

So, who is on the radar? Kurkjian named Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, calling the stars “way above average major league starting pitchers”—two stars that could quickly stabilize a rotation missing Clark Schmidt, who is out for the year. However, that is not all. The Diamondbacks’ Eugenio Suárez was also mentioned as a powerful target. Suárez, identified for his powerful bat, just flashed his two-way enhancement in the All-Star Game and earned praise as a much-improved defender. While the Yankees are third in MLB in total runs scored, the team is still missing a consistent slugger at third base—Suárez could fill that gap and then some.

However, just how effective could these three stars be for the Yankeesa? Zac Gallen, despite his rocky 2025 season with 7–10 win-liss record and 5.40 ERA, has a powerful career resume. His 3.55 ERA across more than 930 innings highlights that the star could rebound in a new environment.

Then, there is Merrill Kelly, who has been lights-out this season with an 8–5 record, 3.34 ERA, and a WHIP of 1.05. He can provide the Yankees a much-needed consistent arm in a shaky rotation. As for Eugenio Suárez, the 34-year-old is aging like fine wine with a .251 batting average, 31 homers and 78 RBIs, not to mention an impressive .888 OPS. Add in the star’s enhanced defense and $15 million deal, and you have a power bat and steady glove that fits effectively into the Yankees’ high-stakes equation.

The need for reinforcements is not just a want anymore—it is a necessity. The Yankees can not afford to stay passive while the rest of the league gears up for the stretch run. Kurkjian’s statements were not just commentary—they were a call to action. With the July 31st trade deadline coming quickly, the team has about 12 days to stop the slide, fix their flaws, and shift the narrative from spiraling to surging. The Diamondbacks could just hold the keys.

That said, the Yankees’ shopping spree could not stop with the Diamondbacks. With bullpen issues lingering, another avenue is quickly heating up.

Yankees and Mets are targeting Guardians’ bullpen duo in high-stakes deadline race.

Just as the trade buzz around the Diamondbacks’ asset gains steam, another headline-grabber has emerged: the Guardians are officially listening on two bullpen studs—Cade Smith and Emmanuel Clase. As per MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Guardians are entertaining offers, though the price tag remains high and their status as sellers is far from certain. Currently sitting just 4.5 games out of the Wild Card, the Guardians could hold onto their stars, specifically with Shane Bieber set to return next month. However, make no mistake, if the team does deal, it is going to be a blockbuster.

Between the two, Clase is the crown jewel. A three-time All-Star with a jaw-dropping 0.61 ERA in the last season, the star still boasts a sub-3.00 ERA and 21 saves in 2025. Clase’s 44-to-10 K-to-BB ratio is elite, and with three more seasons of team control, he is the kind of star that can anchor a bullpen long-period. If Clase lands in the Yankees, he would join Devin Williams and Luke Weaver, establishing a back-end trio that could terrorize October lineups. On the contrary, the Mets—who already have Edwin Díaz—could craft an even scarier late-inning combo. The thought of Díaz and Clase in the same pen? That is nightmare fuel for NL hitters.

However, Cade Smith is the underrated gem of this interaction. Just 26 years old, the right-hander throws a mid-90s heater paired with a wipeout slider and has quietly enhanced as a reliable reliever in the AL. Even better, the star is under control until 2029, giving the Yankees and the Mets a cost-effective and high-upside bullpen option for years. Whether it is to fortify depth and future-proof the pen, Smith belongs in bold print right now—and the 2 teams’ management know it.

With the trade deadline closing in, the Yankees can not afford to sit back. Whether it is a trio from the Diamondbacks and bullpen heat from the Guardians, vital moves are the only way forward.

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