Yankees should target these 3 areas of need as MLB trade deadline approaches

NEW YORK – Before the Yankees left Toronto in a shabby state, Aaron Judge acknowledged there are “a lot of things we’ve got to clean up’’ as a team.

Defensively and fundamentally, the Yankees have cost themselves dearly – as evidenced again in Wednesday’s four-error, 8-4 loss to the AL East leading Blue Jays.

That inconsistent Yankee run has lasted over a month, but their team captain declared there are better days ahead.

“Oh, it’s coming,’’ said Judge. “We haven’t hit our hot streak yet, but we’re going to. Watch out.’’

At least some help should be on the way, with Luis Gil soon due to join the rotation and GM Brian Cashman actively seeking impact additions before Thursday’s 6 p.m. MLB trade deadline.

Yankees' trade target: Relief pitching

The big prize: Right-hander Jhoan Duran (Twins), lefty Danny Coulombe (Twins).

Potential candidates: RHPs Raisel Iglesias (Braves), Rafael Montero (Braves), Ryan Helsley (Cardinals), Pierce Johnson (Braves), Kyle Finnegan (Nationals), David Bednar (Pirates); LHPs Gregory Soto (Orioles), Jalen Beeks (Diamondbacks).

Summary: Duran, with two more seasons of control, would be a costly addition and there's no shortage of potential suitors. He'd be a dynamic fit for a lot of clubs seeking high-end relief help.

The Yankees just saw Iglesias in Atlanta and roughed him up after he'd stabilized following a rough early season stretch. Both Iglesias and Montero are impeding free agents.

From the left side, the veteran Coulombe could help a lot of teams, especially the Yankees, who have overworked their lone lefty, Tim Hill.

In his free agent walk year, Coulombe has actually held right-handed hitters to a lower OPS (.454) than lefty hitters (.472).

Yankees' trade target: Third basemen

The big prize: Eugenio Suarez (Diamondbacks).

Potential candidates: Willi Castro (Twins), Ryan McMahon (Rockies), Ke'Bryan Hayes (Pirates).

Summary: Suarez is a prize for more than a few contenders, and two months' worth of this elite power-hitting third baseman, in his free agent walk year, could still be a very costly addition based on the demand.

The switch-hitting Castro is also defensively versatile, while McMahon provides lefty power (and a lot of strikeouts) with a contract that takes him through 2027.

Hayes is a plus defender, though with a contract that takes him through 2029.

Yankees' trade target: Starting pitchers

The big prize: Joe Ryan.

Potential candidates: RHPs Merrill Kelly (Diamondbacks), Zac Gallen (Diamondbacks), Edward Cabrera (Marlins), Seth Lugo (Royals), Sandy Alcantara (Marlins), Charlie Morton (Orioles), Adrian Houser (White Sox), Mitch Keller (Pirates).

Summary: The object should be to find someone who can start a postseason game after Max Fried and Carlos Rodon.

If you want to added luxury of a frontline starter with more years of team control, you'll have to 'wow' the Twins with a bid for Ryan, with a 10-4 record and 2.63 ERA for a disappointing club.

Cabrera and Keller also have significant team control remaining. The D-backs' Kelly and Gallen are free agents, and perhaps there's a package that could land both a starter and Suarez from Arizona.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: New York Yankees at MLB trade deadline: Target these 3 areas of need