With the July 31 trade deadline just a few weeks away and the Yankees not playing their best baseball lately, the team’s most pressing needs are obvious.

When it comes to position players, acquiring a third baseman should be at the top of their list, as Jazz Chisholm Jr. makes more of an impact at second and DJ LeMahieu is better off on the bench. A taxed bullpen could also use multiple upgrades, though that was the case even before Fernando Cruz suffered a high-grade oblique strain.

And then there’s a rotation that just lost Clarke Schmidt, who is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery.

While the Yankees have a decent-sized shopping list, a shortage on true sellers could limit their options.

“Everyone’s still kind of defining who they are and what their needs are, who’s buyers, who’s sellers, who’s in between, all those kind of things,” Aaron Boone recently acknowledged.

Still, there are some that should be ready to unload. With that in mind, here’s a look at some players who could help the Yankees.

Third base

With Chisholm still learning the hot corner and racking up errors with a sore shoulder and LeMahieu lacking range at second, the Yankees would love to add a third baseman, ideally one who hits from the right side. But, as last year’s acquisition of Chisholm should have taught them, acquiring a third baseman may not be that easy.

Eugenio Suárez would be a welcomed addition — more so at the plate than in the field — but the Diamondbacks may not sell. It’s also unclear how much the Yankees would be willing to give up for a soon-to-be 34-year-old impending free agent who is sure to have a competitive market if he becomes available.

Nolan Arenado is a name that has been frequently linked to the Yankees, but he’s on a bad contract and playing for a Cardinals team that is very much in it.

The Pirates are sure to sell. One familiar piece on their hands is Isiah Kiner-Falefa. The ex-Yankee would love to return to the Bronx and offers versatility — he could occasionally spell Anthony Volpe at short — but he’d only make a marginal impact in the batter’s box.

Pittsburgh also has Ke’Bryan Hayes. The son of former Yankee Charlie Hayes, he is the best defensive third baseman in baseball. He’s also one of the worst qualified hitters in the sport.

Colorado’s Ryan McMahon could be another target who defends his position well, but he’s been awful at the plate outside of Coors Field and is owed $32 million over two years after this season.

The Twins’ Willi Castro has an above-average bat and can play all over the field, but he’s a negative defender at third.

The Yankees have already added a few capable third basemen, recently signing the versatile but light-hitting Nicky Lopez and Jeimer Candelario, who thumped at the plate in 2023 but has since fallen off and battled injuries. For now, both should be considered nothing more than depth signings.

Other potential targets: LAA’s Luis Rengifo and Yoán Moncada, BAL’s Ramón Urías, KC’s Maikel Garcia.

Bullpen

Cruz was leading the majors in K% when he returned to the injured list, so the Yankees are down a power arm. Jake Cousins and Yerry De los Santos are also hurt, leaving the team with a few Scranton Shuttle-type relievers. Others, like Ian Hamilton and Jonathan Loáisiga, have been inconsistent at best.

There’s a lot of room for improvement, which is why Matt Blake recently replied, “High-quality out getters,” when asked what traits he’d like to add to his pen.

“You take what you can get for the most part,” the pitching coach continued.

Keeping in mind that the Yankees would love to replace Cruz’s strikeout stuff and that they’ve often gravitated toward relievers with high groundball rates, the Twins could be a match. Jhoan Duran has the highest groundball rate in the majors, as well as closing experience. Teammate Griffin Jax has handled the ninth as well and owns one of the higher strikeout rates in baseball.

The Rockies’ Seth Halvorsen is up there in groundball percentage as well, and his 100-mph fastball and respectable chase and whiff rates suggest his middle-of-the-pack strikeout rate can improve. Jake Bird is another arm in that pen who fits the Yankees’ needs.

In Baltimore, the disappointing Orioles would be wise to sell, though they might balk at doing business with a division rival. Still, the Yankees should look into closer Félix Bautista and other arms in that pen.

Pittsburgh’s David Bednar is another closer who will surely hit the market.

Meanwhile, a second reliable lefty to pair with Tim Hill wouldn’t hurt. Perhaps that could be Kansas City’s Angel Zerpa, who trails only Hill and Duran in groundball percentage.

Other potential targets: ATL’s Dylan Lee and Aaron Bummer, WAS’ Kyle Finnegan and Andrew Chafin, LAA’s Reid Detmers.

Starting Pitchers

Losing Schmidt is a huge deal, as his and Gerrit Cole’s injuries will also impact the Yankees next season.

For now, the club will turn to pitching prospect Cam Schlittler, who is expected to make his MLB debut on Wednesday. But he’s an uncertainty for a team with World Series aspirations, and a past-his-prime Marcus Stroman and still-developing Will Warren remain in the rotation.

Boone has already said that the Yankees will look at Luis Gil’s return from a lat injury, expected later this summer, as a “trade deadline add,” but the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year hasn’t thrown a pitch yet this season.

Miami’s Sandy Alcantara has already attracted lots of trade buzz, but he hasn’t been all that good in his first season back from Tommy John surgery. Arizona’s Zac Gallen is another pitcher with the reputation of an ace who has had a tough time this season, though teammate Merrill Kelly might be more attainable anyway.

Seth Lugo would be a great get if the Royals sell, as he’s having another stellar season. The ex-Met also comes with experience in the New York market.

And then there’s the Pirates again, who could part with Mitch Keller and Andrew Heaney, though the Yankees have already tried and failed with the latter in the past.

Other potential targets: CWS’ Aaron Civale and Adrian Houser, WAS’ Michael Soroka, COL’s, Germán Márquez, LAA’s Tyler Anderson