The New York Yankees came into the season looking like one of the better teams in baseball, but injuries have destroyed them. Clarke Schmidt and Gerrit Cole are both out for the season with elbow injuries. Luis Gil has yet to make a big league appearance this year.

Because of this, the Yankees have fallen behind a bit in the American League East. However, they’ve begun making moves at the trade deadline, including deals for Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario. But during this excitement, the team’s superstar, Aaron Judge, has landed on the injured list, and it could completely alter their trade deadline approach.

The Bronx Bombers will likely be a lot more conservative at the deadline with Judge on the shelf. Although he’s expected to be back with the team as the designated hitter in a week or so, the Yankees shouldn’t go after expensive players on the trade market.

This season seems to be a middle-of-the-road year for the Bronx Bombers. While it might be enticing to chase a World Series with reckless abandon, it’s tough to do that with Judge on the shelf.

The Yankees could take a huge leap and pursue a trade for stars like Jhoan Duran and Edward Cabrera, but the risk would be losing too much prospect capital for a lost season.

It’s going to be a tough few days for the Yankees’ front office. They need to add a starting pitcher and a bullpen arm, but they need to do so in a smart way.