For New York, removing Seattle from the Suarez sweepstakes clears one runway—but also increases visible competition. The Yankees have generally avoided overpaying for external help; trading top prospects or assuming long-term risk doesn’t fit their current Blue-Chip Avoidance Strategy.

The Arizona Diamondbacks traded Josh Naylor to kick off the trade deadline season, and now all eyes turn to Eugenio Suarez.

The New York Yankees have reportedly held talks with the Pittsburgh Pirates regarding outfielder Oneil Cruz "and some others," according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post and Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,