New York Yankees May Have Roadblock At Trade Deadline

Sitting 2.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot in the American League, the New York Yankees want to add at the trade deadline.

However, there might be something standing in their way from being all-in buyers: the luxury tax.

As Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported, the Yankees are $1.1 million above the highest luxury tax threshold of $293 million. If they remain above this threshold they will be taxed and have next year's first-round draft pick slot pushed back by 10 picks.

Even still, the expectation is that the Yankees will be buyers at the trade deadline. That said, sources told Rosenthal that the Yankees' decision-makers could be "influenced" by the luxury tax situation, which would motivate them to move pieces in and out as opposed to going all-in as straight buyers.

The good news is that, in addition to acquiring pieces at the deadline, the Yankees should be getting superstar Aaron Judge back soon from his toe injury.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters on Tuesday that Judge is getting "close," but he would not provide a timeline for the superstar's potential return.

The Yankees will also get Nestor Cortes and Jonathan Loaisiga back in the near future to bolster their rotation and bullpen.

According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand the Yankees are looking for an outfielder, starting pitching, a reliever and a catcher ahead of the deadline.

Per Rosenthal, the Yankees could potentially move some of their players on expiring deals such as Luis Severino, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Harrison Bader and Wandy Peralta.

So, with the Yankees struggling but still in striking distance of a playoff spot, we could see them buy and sell at the deadline due to the luxury tax threshold.