The New York Yankees are returning from the All-Star break on Friday by beginning a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. They're looking to make up some ground on the Tampa Bay Rays, who hold a three-game lead in the American League East.
While the Yankees don't hold the division lead, they're firmly in the postseason picture. At 54-42, they hold a 6.5-game lead for one of the AL wild card spots. In fact, they have the second most wins in the AL behind the Rays.
With hopes of not only a postseason berth, but also making it to the World Series, they are expected to be buyers at the trade deadline. Yankees legend Alex Rodriguez believes the Yankees should be aggressive.
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The AL has been weak throughout the 2026 MLB season. Going into the All-Star break, only five teams had a record above .500. Rodriguez thinks that New York must take advantage of the opportunity and do whatever it takes to put together a World Series-caliber roster before the trade deadline.
“If you’re the Yankees, there’s a very simple formula,” Rodriguez said during an appearance on WFAN Sports Radio. “This is the weakest the American League has been in our lifetime, in all of our lifetimes. The National League’s very strong. You have a scenario where you can play White Sox and the Rays and go to the World Series. So if you’re management, if you have an opportunity to go all-in, you’ve got to put all your chips in now."
The Yankees do have a handful of talent they could use as trade chips. According to MLB.com, they have four top-100 prospects, including infielder George Lombard Jr. (No. 20), shortstop Dax Kilby (No. 59), right-handed pitcher Elmer Rodriguez (No. 74) and right-handed pitcher Carlos Lagrange (No. 81).
With 16 games until the deadline passes on Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. ET, Rodriguez's message is clear. The Yankees have a rare opportunity in a struggling AL to go all-in and make a push for a World Series appearance and title.
