MLB Trade Has Yankees Cut Ties With Former Top-10 Pick in Deal With AL Team

Getty

The New York Yankees dealt a former highly touted prospect to the Baltimore Orioles.

The New York Yankees continue to be mentioned in MLB rumors as a team who could potentially pull off a major trade. As the Yankees look to make bigger deals, the club struck a trade with the Baltimore Orioles.

A once promising prospect is on the move as the Yankees dealt catcher Alex Jackson to the Orioles. It was a low-risk move for New York moving on from a player who had not appeared for the Yankees in 2025.

In return, the Yankees are receiving cash considerations or a player to be named later from the Orioles. Not exactly the kind of deal Yankees fans have been hoping for ahead of the MLB trade deadline on July 31, 2025.

“The Baltimore Orioles acquired minor league catcher Alex Jackson from the New York Yankees on Sunday, agreeing to send international bonus pool money and either a player to be named later or cash considerations,” ESPN detailed on July 6. “He was added to the major league roster.”

Here is what you need to know about the trade with the Orioles along with the latest Yankees rumors.

Yankees Trade Former Top-10 Pick to Orioles for Potential Future Player

Baltimore was looking to add depth at catcher with Maverick Handley, Chadwick Tromp and Gary Sanchez all dealing with injuries. Jackson still has some appeal as the Seattle Mariners selected the catcher with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2014 MLB draft. The veteran hit a dismal .122 in 58 appearances for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2024.

“It’s not exactly an exciting profile, but Jackson still offers the Orioles some depth at a time where additional options are extremely necessary for the club,” MLBTradeRumors.com’s Nick Deeds detailed in a July 6, story titled, “Orioles Acquire Alex Jackson From Yankees.” “Starting catcher Adley Rutschman has been sidelined since June 19 by an oblique strain, and since then depth catchers Maverick Handley and Chadwick Tromp were both sidelined by injuries of their own.

“That’s left backup catcher Gary Sanchez to take the starting role while being backed up by fifth-string backstop Jacob Stallings.”

Yankees Rumors: New York Linked to Potential Trade for Diamondbacks 3B Eugenio Suarez

As for a more significant move in New York, the franchise continues to be linked to potential trades for a veteran third baseman, preferably someone who can help bolster the team’s hitting. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that both the Yankees and Seattle Mariners covet Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez.

“The most intriguing team at the trade deadline is the Arizona Diamondbacks, who keep insisting they don’t plan to be sellers – but may have no choice as the struggle around .500,” Nightengale wrote in a July 6, story titled, “Zac Gallen doesn’t want to be in Diamondbacks’ MLB trade deadline rumors.”

“While power-hitting third baseman Eugenio Suárez is the one grabbing the most attention with his 27 homers and 70 RBIs, and coveted by the Seattle Mariners and the New York Yankees, D-backs starter Zac Gallen (6-9, 5.45 ERA) could be the most compelling.”

The Yankees and Orioles are on different ends of the spectrum. Baltimore is 40-49 and in last place in the AL East, while New York is 49-41 in 2025. Despite the record, the Yankees are just 3-7 in their last 10 outings and could look to get aggressive at the MLB trade deadline if the struggles continue.

Jonathan Adams is a veteran sports contributor covering the NFL, NBA and golf for Heavy.com. His work has been prominently featured on NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated. More about Jonathan Adams