Yankees 'ideal world' at trade deadline revealed by MLB insider

The New York Yankees are very likely to be trade deadline buyers once again this season. They made a lot of moves last year, and those moves revolved around infield and bullpen upgrades.

For the 2026 trade deadline, the Yankees have a few positions of need. A new closer is a priority, and as every team should do, seeing what it would take to acquire Tarik Skubal would be a worthwhile endeavor.

However, ESPN's Jeff Passan revealed what the Yankees' actual "ideal world" would be at the trade deadline. And for the second straight season, the Yankees are targeting infield upgrades at shortstop and third base.

Yankees 'ideal world' at trade deadline revealed

"In an ideal world, New York is training its focus on a third baseman (Paredes is by far the best option) or shortstop (depending on how the Anthony Volpe/Jose Cabellero time-share works)," Passan writes.

This is an interesting angle for the Yankees, as instead of a closer, which is a big need, the Yankees once again have third base and shortstop at the top of their mind.

But, with Ryan McMahon's struggles and the uncertainty of Cabellero and Volpe at shortstop, these two spots being the Yankees' top needs is not a surprise.

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Isaac Paredes would make a lot of sense, as he's a right-handed slugger who has some pop and is a two-time All-Star who could play third base.

Jeremy Pena, also a Houston Astros player like Paredes, would be a good shortstop trade target if the Yankees are hoping to find someone for more than just the 2026 season.

It's a fascinating report from Passan that for the second straight season, shortstop and third base are seemingly high-priority trade targets.

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