Yankees made MLB's 'biggest impact' trade for playoff race with deal for 23-HR slugger

The New York Yankees made two major additions for their lineup at the 2026 MLB trade deadline, and both trades were quite costly.

Luis Garcia Jr. and Heliot Ramos were nice additions for the Yankees, and should help them pursue the AL East lead over the Tampa Bay Rays. But which slugger will be more important for the Yankees?

As MLB.com's Thomas Harrigan shared, a poll on which hitter traded by the deadline will have the biggest impact on the playoff race, Garcia, the 23-homer slugger from the Washington Nationals, is predicted to have the biggest impact of any hitter dealt this summer.

Luis Garcia Jr. is predicted to have biggest impact on playoff race of any traded hitter

"Which position player who got traded during Deadline season will have the biggest impact on the playoff race? Top choice: Luis Garcia Jr., 1B, Yankees (12 votes)," Harrigan shared.

Luis Arraez of the Philadelphia Phillies came in second place, but with just nine total votes. Garcia was the clear favorite for being the most impactful bat for the postseason race this year.

With the Yankees trying to catch the Rays, and now also trying to keep away from the surging Boston Red Sox, Garcia's addition should be a huge boon to the offense.

MORE: Red Sox expected to trade Jarren Duran during offseason, not MLB trade deadline

Adding Garcia, who had the NL's best slugging percentage at .560 before the trade deadline, is a fantastic addition for the Yankees' stagnant offense.

Even though he might be platooning with Paul Goldschmidt at first base, Garcia is such a key pickup that he could be the difference in the Yankees re-taking the division lead over the Rays.

With Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Cody Bellinger all injured right now, Garcia's bat should help keep the Yankees within striking distance, enough to the point where if those injured sluggers come back, the Yankees might still have a chance to win the East.

The Yankees' trade deadline pickup of Garcia was voted on as being the most impactful hitting addition of the deadline. While players like Adley Rutschman, Luis Arraez, and others will have an impact, Garcia might be the difference in the AL East playoff race.

More MLB news:

• Cubs land Kevin Gausman in blockbuster trade with Blue Jays
• What did Mets get for Freddy Peralta? Rays send three prospects for 4.99 ERA SP
• Tigers receive lousy grade for Tarik Skubal trade to Dodgers from ESPN
• How Cubs inadvertently helped Dodgers trade for Tarik Skubal
• Royals DFA former Phillies All-Star reliever Matt Strahm after trade deadline