The MLB trade deadline clock is ticking. Less than seven days remain, and the Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to sell, which places their electric All-Star right in the center of the trade discussions. Now, it may trigger a potential bidding war between two baseball giants—the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies.
We are talking about Oneil Cruz, who participated in the Home Run Derby during All-Star Week. This season, he has been slashing .219/.319/.419, with 33 stolen bases in 37 attempts.
MLB insider Jon Heyman noted the Yankees’ interest in him on X: “Yanks have talked to Pirates about Oneil Cruz (and some others). Price is said ‘steep,’ but that’s no surprise.”
But, another insider Andrew Fillipponi reported the Phillies’ aggressive push: “Source: The Phillies are one of the teams that’s trying to trade for Pirates CF Oneil Cruz. Philly has gotten terrible play in CF this year. And they are interested in seeing what Cruz could do in a lineup with Harper Schwarber and Turner. Good veteran influences. Stay tuned.”
So, the battle lines are taking shape. But why is this deal so appealing?
Yanks have talked to Pirates about Oneil Cruz (and some others). Price is said “steep,” but that’s no surprise. @_NoahHiles on it
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 25, 2025
Well, apart from his skills, Cruz’s contractual status makes him even more valuable. He is earning just $785,000 at the moment and the team that acquires him would also control him through the 2028 season.
But will the Pirates happily let go of a talent like this?
The Pirates’ most obvious weakness is their inability to score. They currently rank 30th in Major League Baseball in runs scored, with a total of 350 runs and an average of 3.4 runs per game. And, Cruz is the only valuable offensive power they have right now, with an fWAR greater than 1.1. Trading him would dig a big hole in an already struggling lineup.
So, it’s a classic small-market conundrum: trade your star for a massive haul or risk losing him later for less.
Assessing the Suitors: Yankees and Phillies
Let’s talk about the suitors. The Phillies are in clear need of Cruz. The outfield has been the team’s Achilles’ heel throughout the season. Cruz would step right in and play center field. This move would allow Brandon Marsh to shift to a corner spot, improving their outfield defense at two positions simultaneously.
The New York Yankees see this differently though. Their interest appears to be more of a strategic luxury. Third base and the bullpen are still the team’s two biggest needs. Their current outfield, with Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham, is already strong. Plugging in Cruz would create a roster logjam. But hey, can Cruz play shortstop?
Well, he has a history at shortstop. But his numbers there aren’t great. He made a stunning 24 errors in 2024 alone. That’s why the Pirates shifted him to center field.
The Yankees’ shortstop situation at the moment is interesting. Their established shortstop, Anthony Volpe, has had a tumultuous season. He is batting just .214 and is tied for a league-high 13 errors. You can assume the Yankees consider Cruz a potential replacement. However, that is highly unlikely. Drafting a player to correct a problem at a position where he himself couldn’t succeed won’t be a wise strategy.
Apart from the Yankees and the Phillies though, the New York Mets also have an obvious hole in center field. However, they have a good farm system to fall back to.
Well, a dark horse may emerge in the race later, but the focus for now remains on the Phillies and the Yankees.
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