There’s shopping, and then there’s whatever the Yankees are doing with their July wish list. With the deadline creeping in like a subway train at rush hour, New York isn’t just browsing—they’re peering into other teams’ carts. The Bronx brass knows their roster has cracks, and Pittsburgh, conveniently, might have the duct tape. The Pirates? They’re listening, mostly because offense isn’t showing up for them either.

It was reported by Jon Heyman that five names are at the center of those talks. He posted, “Yankees have been in regular contact with the Pirates, who have a few players who’d interest NYY: Hayes, Bednar, Santana, Keller, IKF.” The Pirates have quietly become one of the busiest booths at the deadline bazaar, and the Yankees are hovering. From bullpen help to a potential infield reshuffle, this brewing deal could shake up both clubhouses—and maybe even trigger a bidding war before July 31 rolls in.

Ke’Bryan Hayes in the Yankees’ radar

Third base has become a revolving door for the Yankees, with no one truly locking it down. Oswaldo Cabrera has flashed leather but carries a .220 average and inconsistent bat-to-ball skills. DJ LeMahieu is gone, and injury setbacks have hit infield sharpness and limited the upside. With postseason hopes alive but flickering, New York’s hot corner remains a soft spot in an otherwise potent lineup core.

Ke’Bryan Hayes is quietly building a solid defensive season, posting a .577 OPS across 334 plate appearances. Though his bat hasn’t boomed, he’s collected 33 RBIs and swiped 10 bases while manning third with excellence. His glove remains elite, with advanced metrics ranking him among MLB’s best defensive third basemen. Hayes has become Pittsburgh’s infield anchor, even as their offense struggles to consistently string hits together.

For the Pirates, Hayes has offered more than numbers—he’s brought steadiness, range, and effort on every grounder. His quick reflexes and strong arm have saved countless runs for a rotation still finding its rhythm. Though the bat remains below league average, his consistency at third keeps errors—and headaches—to a minimum. He has become a defensive identity piece for a team still seeking its offensive heartbeat.

In the Bronx, Hayes could stabilize third base defensively while offering speed and situational contact at the plate. His presence would allow LeMahieu to shift into a utility role, adding late-season flexibility. Hayes won’t carry the lineup, but he could quietly fix one of New York’s biggest structural gaps. The Yankees need more than stars—they need glue, and Hayes might be the perfect infield adhesive.

David Bednar could be a key pitching addition.

The Yankees’ pitching woes have become glaring, with starters and relievers stretched uncomfortably thin. Injuries to Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil have plunged rotation depth into dangerous uncertainty. Meanwhile, the bullpen’s instability is striking, with Devin Williams removed from closer duties after an 11.25 ERA disaster. Manager Boone urgently needs reliable late‑innings arms to stabilize tight games and preserve playoff hopes.

David Bednar has anchored Pittsburgh’s bullpen, recording 13 saves with a sterling 2.53 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. Over 32 innings, he’s struck out 45 batters while limiting baserunners effectively, ranking in MLB’s top relief performers. After struggling in 2024, he has rebounded strongly this season, reestablishing himself as a dominant closer. His consistent late‑game execution has become Pittsburgh’s bullpen backbone amid wider relief insecurity.

Bednar’s presence has provided Pittsburgh with tangible value in late-inning situations this season. His 13 saves rank tied for 21st in MLB, anchoring their unreliable bullpen corps. With a career 97 saves, his veteran poise has turned high-pressure moments into wins for a developing team. His resurgence underscores stability’s power in a game often determined by single frames.

In New York, Bednar could immediately shore up frail late-inning opportunities currently mishandled by Williams. His 2.53 ERA and strong strikeout-to-walk ratio would relieve pressure on Luke Weaver and other injured relievers. Acquiring Bednar would directly address Boone’s urgencies, offering a steady closer with playoff-tested credentials. The Yankees need bullpen reinforcement, and Bednar’s proven consistency could be exactly the reliable solution.

Dennis Santana could be another great fit.

Yankees’ pitching staff has unraveled, with bullpen depth disappearing amid mounting injuries and inconsistent performances. Closer Devin Williams struggled badly early, posting an alarming 11.25 ERA before losing his job. Mark Leiter Jr. and other relievers landed on IL, worsening late‑inning instability. Manager Aaron Boone now faces urgent pressure to reinforce a bullpen that’s faltering dramatically.

Dennis Santana has delivered excellence for Pittsburgh, maintaining a remarkable 1.56 ERA and 0.82 WHIP over 40.1 innings. His reliable performance includes a 3–2 record, 29 strikeouts, and five saves this season. Santana has consistently quelled high‑leverage situations, providing the Pirates a dependable relief anchor. He has restored confidence in late innings, transforming Pittsburgh’s bullpen reliability this summer.

Santana’s impact on Pittsburgh extends beyond numbers—he stabilized a shaky relief corps under pressure. His sub‑2.00 ERA and seldom‑seen 0.82 WHIP rank among MLB’s most efficient relievers. By logging multiple holds and five saves, he’s reinforced tight-game execution for struggling lineup support. His consistency has afforded Pirates’ management visible trust during a season defined by offensive shortages.

In New York, Santana’s acquisition could rejuvenate a bullpen that’s crumbling under heavy demand. His 1.56 ERA and sub‑1.00 WHIP would directly secure late innings and preserve narrow Yankees leads. Adding Santana offers Boone a proven solution, shifting Weaver and Williams into more flexible roles. The Yankees desperately need dependable setup strength, and Santana could provide that crucial bullpen foundation.

Mitch Keller could solve the starting rotation problems

The Yankees’ pitching rotation has splintered, losing key arms to injury and erratic fatigue. Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt are sidelined by major surgery, while Luis Gil continues rehabbing his lat strain. Late‑inning relief has also tumbled into chaos, with deeper bullpen depth evaporating under mounting load and subpar performances. Manager Aaron Boone finds himself under pressure to shore up rotation stability before the trade deadline.

Mitch Keller has emerged as a durable, reliable starter, logging twenty quality outings this season. He spans 119 innings with a solid 3.48 ERA, 92 strikeouts, and a strong 1.14 WHIP. Over his last seven starts, Keller has posted an impressive 2.32 ERA and 0.91 WHIP, showcasing late‑season momentum. Though his win–loss record reads 3–10, his underlying performance ranks among Pittsburgh’s most dependable arms.

Keller’s impact in Pittsburgh has been substantial, providing rotation consistency and innings volume all season. His reliability has turned stars into predictable performances, crucial for a team lacking depth in its rotation. The ground‑ball inducing four‑seam fastball, slider, and sweeper combination has allowed Keller to escape trouble efficiently. With service through 2028 on his contract, Keller offers Pittsburgh both current value and future control.

For the Yankees, Keller represents a solution to their destabilized rotation, offering innings, consistency, and veteran presence. His 3.48 ERA and 1.14 WHIP would immediately lower pressure on overtaxed relievers like Ian Hamilton and Allan Winans. Keller’s arrival could allow rookies like Will Warren to develop with reduced burden while protecting late‑season bullpen resources. New York needs substance over sizzle, and Keller’s steady arm might be the practical reinforcement Boone requires.

Isiah Kiner‑Falefa could be the infield solution for the Yankees

The Yankees’ infield has buckled under injuries, defensive lapses, and underperformance at multiple positions this season. Jazz Chisholm Jr. has been sidelined with an oblique injury, and Oswald Peraza’s .193 average offers little offensive support. Anthony Volpe’s defensive fade compounds problems, as Boone juggles options with little success. New York urgently needs a versatile and steady presence to shore up its infield depth.

Isiah Kiner‑Falefa is delivering a solid campaign in Pittsburgh, hitting .279 with a .321 on‑base percentage and .667 OPS across 84 games. He’s driven 24 RBI, scored 26 runs, and swiped 12 bases, showcasing balanced offensive contributions. His versatility allows him to play shortstop, third base, and outfield, increasing his defensive utility. IKF’s performance reflects both productivity and flexibility, making him a valuable multi-position bench asset.

With the Pirates, Kiner‑Falefa has stabilized multiple infield positions, offering reliability amid a broader offensive struggle in Pittsburgh. His consistent on-base skills and baserunning speed have helped spark situational offense for a team that ranks near the bottom in batting average. Defensively, his positional flexibility has allowed Pirates management to patch holes efficiently. He’s become a quietly influential contributor within Pittsburgh’s unsettled roster structure.

In New York, acquiring IKF could directly address infield fragility and lineup inconsistency at third and shortstop. His .279 average and .667 OPS would outperform both Peraza and Cabrera at the plate. His multi-positional skill set would allow Boone to optimize rest patterns for players like Volpe and Chisholm. The Yankees need positional stability during high-leverage innings, and IKF offers a low-risk solution before the trade deadline.

There’s a difference between plugging leaks and remodeling the whole damn roster—and the Yankees might be doing both. From bullpen fire drills to an infield held together by Band-Aids and borrowed time, the needs are loud and layered. Pittsburgh isn’t just a seller—they’re a one-stop deadline department store with everything but a guarantee. And if New York shops smart, they won’t just patch holes—they’ll quietly steal July’s spotlight while the big buyers bark. Because sometimes, the best power moves are made with glue, grit, and a well-timed waiver call.