Gabriel Estevez dives into the AL analyzing the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, and Detroit Tigers farm systems to see which teams can afford to make a move while keeping value for the future at the deadline.

The first NL edition can be found here:

Step Into the Mind of a GM: NL Edition
Gabriel Estevez analyzes the deadline to see which teams can make a move, what prospects teams can offer, and the impact of each potential trade.
Prospects LiveGabriel Estevez

New York Yankees

Currently 2nd place in the AL East, the Yankees have seen highs and lows in the first half of 2025. With the Blue Jays finding consistency in their lineup and the Red Sox spark to end the first half, the Yankees find themselves in the middle of a tight division race.

Team Needs

  • INF - Jazz Chisolm Jr, Ben Rice, Anthony Volpe, and Paul Goldschmidt have been the makeup of the Yankees' infield throughout 2025. Jorbat Vivas and Oswald Peraza have been in the mix, but the Yankees would benefit from a plus veteran bat to fill at 2B/3B to help boost the potential of this offense.
  • SP/RP -  Max Fried and Carlos Rodon are having phenomenal seasons and are paying dividends for their contracts. While the Yankees rank 13th in overall starting pitching statistics, acquiring a productive veteran who can add to a young starting pitching core would be a benefit to this team, as they have the tools to make a deep run in October. On the relief pitching end, the Yankees rank 21st overall, showing they can acquire another arm to use in high-leverage situations.

Acquisitions + Trade Packages

Ozzie Albies, 2B, Atlanta Braves - Season slash line of .220/.290/.316 with a 72 wRC+, Albies has been a shell of his former self. With the Braves diminishing in prospects and the Yankees' need for a more consistent bat, Albies can potentially provide a spark in a hitter-friendly ball-park if they believe there is upside with his bat.

Potential Trade Package Players

  • Jesus Rodriguez, C, New York Yankees - Yankees #30 prospect, Rodriguez provides good plate discipline with a 45/50 BB: K ratio and a solid hit tool as he is slashing .313/.413/.411 in AAA. The Braves can add another C if they were to deal Sean Murphy at the deadline.
  • Ben Hess, RHP, New York Yankees -  Yankees # 3 prospect and 2024 1st round pick, Hess holds a 4.03 ERA through 53.0 IP in single-A. His addition to the Braves will allow them to develop as they have a good track record of creating quality arms. 
  • Roderick Arias, SS, New York Yankees - Yankees #5 prospect, Arias is a switch-hitter who can steal bases and has moderate pop at the dish. Hitting .197/.321/.307, he is coming off a 2024 where he hit 13 HR and stole 37 bases. There is potential upside with proper development, and the Braves are a team that can develop hitting. 

Eugenio Suarez, 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks - The favorite trade target piece of the deadline, Suarez and his power upside are a dream to pair along with Aaron Judge in a hitter's ball park. Slotting Suarez at 3B can create the opportunity for Jazz to move over to 2B.

Potential Trade Package Players

  • George Lombard Jr., SS/2B, New York Yankees - Yankees #1 prospect, Lombard Jr hit .329/.495/.488 holding a 22/23 K/BB ratio. Currently in AA and showing his ability to get on base, Lombard Jr would be a reliable addition for Arizona to develop for the future. 
  • Cam Schlittler, RHP, New York Yankees - Yankees #10 prospect having a breakout year in 2025 with a 3.80 ERA and 35/9 K/BB ratio. Schlittler is currently on the big league roster, looking to prove himself in the majors. Arizona would benefit from adding a young arm with upside, and Schlittler would slot into their rotation for the opportunity. Schlittler has topped out to 99 MPH and has plenty of swing/ miss upside in his game. 
  • Carlos Lagrange, RHP, New York Yankees - Yankees # 17 prospect, the hard-throwing RHP carries plenty of upside, displaying a 3.79 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and a 49/22 K/BB ratio in AA, holding hitters to a .165 AVG. He has topped out to 101 on his fastball, going along with his high strikeout upside as he is showing potential of being a front-line starter.

Jhoan Duran, RP, Minnesota Twins - Having a fantastic season as he holds a 1.66 ERA and a 27.7%/8.8% K/BB ratio. His advanced statistics back up his ability to get outs at a quick rate, especially in a hitter's ballpark. The opportunity to have Duran as a late-inning arm to pair with Luke Weaver and Devin Williams can lead to a lethal trio in late-game situations. 

Potential Trade Package Players

  • Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, RHP, New York Yankees - Yankees #6 prospect, Cruz shined in High A with a 2.26 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and held batters to a .174 AVG on the year. He has shown swing and miss upside with ability to go deep into games thus far. Twins need to bolster up their starting rotation in the farm system, and Cruz would be a good option.

Mitch Keller, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates - Keller is an intriguing target for multiple teams thanks to the Pirates deep pitching farm system. Holding a 3.48 ERA with an 18.8%/5.5% K/BB ratio, he would immediately slot into the middle of their starting rotation. Keller can induce ground balls and limit hitters' ability to find the barrel.

Potential Trade Package Players

Seattle Mariners

Currently sitting in 2nd behind the Astros in the AL West, the Mariners are an intriguing team that can make a move at the deadline. With a strong starting pitching staff with a need for better production at the plate, is this the year the Mariners leverage their depth to get a batter and go on a run?

Team Needs

  • INF - Besides Cal Raleigh, the Mariners rank below the top 15 when it comes to their infield’s hitting statistics across the league. Their infield is made up of J.P. Crawford, Jorge Polanco, Dylan Moore with a mix of Cole Young, Ben Williamson, and Donovan Solano. Adding a plus bat to go along with Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez could potentially lead to a dangerous lineup.
  • RP - The Mariners rank 24th in relief pitching metrics. Adding a reliable RP to their strong starting rotation will solidify their overall staff and make them vital to a deep October run.

Acquisitions + Trade Packages

Eugenio Suarez, 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks - These two teams are a match made in heaven. Arizona is reportedly looking for young pitching as they have made Suarez available at the deadline. Seattle has an extensive amount of young pitching to deal and this could be seen as a major win for both teams. It would also be a return for Suarez as he played for Seattle in 2022-2023, tallying 54 home runs and 183 RBI.

Potential Trade Package Players

  • Ryan Sloan, RHP, Seattle Mariners - Mariners #8 prospect who was drafted out of high school in 2024, Sloan carries a 3.62 ERA and 1.21 WHIP through 54.2 IP as a 19 year old in single A. His strengths are his ability to control the off-speed. He has had plenty of buzz in 2025 and would be an exciting addition for the Diamondbacks.
  • Felnin Celesten, SS, Seattle Mariners -  Mariners #3 prospect, Celesten is a switch-hitting SS that provides stolen base upside along with a career batting AVG of .299 in 2024 and 2025. There is plenty of power potential that goes along with good defense, and he can be an exciting prospect for Arizona’s future.
  • Tyler Locklear, 1B, Seattle Mariners - Mariners #9 prospect slashing .309/.392/.500 with a career .880 OPS in the minors, Locklear provides power upside and sneaky stolen bases upside as he has 16 on the year. Arizona may be looking to fill a void at 1B if they decide to trade Josh Naylor.

Ryan O’Hearn, 1B, Baltimore Orioles - The All-Star 1B out of Baltimore is an intriguing deadline acquisition as Samuel Basallo is knocking on the door of a promotion. Baltimore is in need of younger pitching and Seattle can ship off their younger pitching assets to have an upgrade at 1B, as they currently rank 18th in overall 1B metrics on the year. 

Potential Trade Package Players

  • Jonny Farmelo, OF, Seattle Mariners - Mariners # 6 propsect, Farmelo is an exciting prospect in the Mariners system thanks to sweet lefty swing and power upside with ability to steal bases. He has faced injuries throughout his minor league career, but there is no denying he possesses plenty of upside.
  • Logan Evans, SP, Settle Mariners - Carrying a 3.75 ERA and 1.35 WHIP through 50.1 IP in his 1st big league season, Evans is an intriguing piece for the Orioles as they look to add more pitching for the future. Evans would get the opportunity to develop right away.

Griffin Jax, RP, Minnesota Twins - Through 41.1 IP this year, Jax has a 37.9 % / 5.7 % K/BB ratio, holding an ERA of 3.92. His advanced statistics show he makes batters whiff, strikeout, and chase at a high rate. His ability to make a difference for Seattle would be a huge addition to their bullpen. 

Potential Trade Package Players

  • Emerson Hancock, SP, Seattle Mariners - Hancock hasn’t found much success in the big leagues holding a career 5.10 ERA through 150.0 IP. The Twins are in need of starting rotation depth and the former 1st rounder can get plenty of opportunities with a new squad.

Toronto Blue Jays