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The August 3 MLB trade deadline is just two weeks away.
The two New York teams, the Yankees and Mets, have certainly had different trajectories in 2026.
The Yankees, who are without Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Max Fried, are still leading the top AL Wild Card spot and are 1.5 games back in the AL East. They will be buyers at the deadline with their 55-44 record.
Despite having the second-highest payroll in baseball at $380 million, the Mets have been a disaster this year and hold a 42-58 record. They're destined to be sellers.
So what am I hearing about both teams ahead of the deadline?
Sources tell Athlon Sports that the Yankees are in the catching market as they look to acquire help in this area.
The Yankees have gotten little to no offensive production from the catching trio of Austin Wells, J.C. Escarra and Ali Sanchez this season. As a result, they're trying to land a right-handed hitting catcher at the deadline.
Some potential fits at the position include Ryan Jeffers of the Minnesota Twins, Hunter Goodman of the Colorado Rockies and Shea Langeliers of the Athletics.
However, Jeffers might not be moved because the Twins are only two games back of the third and final AL Wild Card spot in a weak race.
Goodman (free agent after the 2029 season) and Langeliers (free agent after the 2028 season) come along with multiple years of control. That means they would cost more for the Yankees to acquire. But the offensive production of either bat would surely help make up for the losses of Judge and Stanton in the interim. The bottom line is that the Yankees need offensive help.
As for the Mets, sources say that they're open to trading any expiring contract on their current roster.
This should come as no surprise and it means that starter Freddy Peralta and lefty relievers' Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter are all as good as gone come August 3. Outfielder Tyrone Taylor is a rental piece as well.
Starting pitcher Clay Holmes (fractured fibula) and righty reliever Luke Weaver could also be moved. But one American League executive that I spoke with believes Weaver is less likely to go as opposed to Holmes.
"(I) just think they don’t get enough of a return (for Weaver)," the AL executive said.
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Weaver, who has allowed one earned run since May 1, has another year left of control after signing a two-year, $22 million deal with the Mets in the offseason. He could fit the Yankees' bullpen and a number of contenders, but the Mets could also hang onto him as a major piece in their 2027 'pen.
Regarding Holmes, he has a $12 million player option for 2027. His first rehab start got cancelled on Saturday due to poor weather, so he threw a private bullpen session in front of Mets personnel instead. He should make his first rehab start this week and is expected to draw heavy trade interest in a pitching-needy market.
Lastly, the Mets have deemed Juan Soto, A.J. Ewing, Carson Benge, Nolan McLean and Christian Scott as untouchable.
Although shortstop Francisco Lindor isn't mentioned on this list, one rival National League executive I spoke with on the matter said it would be "pretty surprising" if the Mets were to trade Lindor.
Lindor is owed more than $160 million over the next five seasons through 2031. His trade value is also a lot lower right now due to an injury riddled campaign where he has underperformed. For that, it's fair to view a deal at the August 3 MLB trade deadline as unlikely.
