The New York Yankees are in a tough position as the 2025 MLB season moves toward the trade deadline. Four of their well-known players—Giancarlo Stanton, Marcus Stroman, Anthony Volpe, and Devin Williams—could be traded. But inconveniently, the rumors come at a time when the team is dealing with both injuries and changes in performance.

So, let’s break it down, player by player, and explain why each one might be traded, who could be interested, and what it would mean for the Yankees and their future.

Giancarlo Stanton Could Be Heading to the Mariners

To start with, Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees’ designated hitter, has not played yet this season. He’s been on the injured list due to injuries in both of his elbows. Still, according to Zachary Howell from Clutch Points, Stanton could be traded once he’s healthy again.

Howell suggests the Seattle Mariners might be interested, which makes sense when you look at their needs. The Mariners have never made it to the World Series and last reached the playoffs in 2022. Before that, they hadn’t appeared in the postseason since 2001. They need power, and Stanton could give it to them.

Even though Stanton is often injured and might never play a full season again, Howell believes he still brings value. He points out that Stanton “outplayed almost every other Yankee” during the team’s run to the World Series last year, meaning if he’s healthy, he could do the same for another playoff team.

In his place, Ben Rice has done very well, and that is key as the Yankees now have several strong hitters: Rice, Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Jasson Dominguez. They have the potential to make Stanton unnecessary, especially if Rice keeps hitting well.

It’s also worth remembering Stanton’s power. In 2018, during his first year with the Yankees, he hit a home run at 121.7 mph – still the hardest-hit home run in MLB history.

Stanton began his MLB career with the Miami Marlins (then called the Florida Marlins) in 2010. His best season was in 2017, when he hit 59 home runs, drove in 132 RBIs, and had a .281 batting average. That year, he won the National League MVP. So, if this trade happens, the Mariners would be getting a player with real history and proven ability—if he’s healthy.

Stroman’s Injury Actually Increases His Trade Value

Next, we have Marcus Stroman, a starting pitcher who signed a two-year, $37 million contract with the Yankees before the 2024 season. Right now, he’s injured with a left knee problem and has been out since April 11. In his only three starts this season, he went 0–1 and gave up a shocking 11.57 ERA.

Even so, Bob Nightengale from USA Today says Stroman’s trade value is going up, not down. The reason is very specific. Since he’s injured, he won’t be able to pitch 140 innings this year, and if he doesn’t hit that number, he can’t activate his player option for 2026.

That’s key because many teams were worried during the offseason that trading for Stroman could lock them into paying him $18 million in 2026. Now, if a team trades for him in July, they’ll only have to pay what’s left of his $18.5 million salary for this year. There’s no long-term risk.

Manager Aaron Boone explained Stroman’s struggles by saying, “He just couldn’t really step on that front side like he needed to.” Boone compared pitchers to race cars, saying that even one small problem can throw off everything, from command to control.

So while Stroman doesn’t have a return date yet, teams will be watching. If he gets healthy, even partially, he could become one of the more valuable trade pieces by July.

Anthony Volpe Trade Talk: Risk or Reward?

Anthony Volpe is another name being discussed, though no real trade has been confirmed. He’s the Yankees’ shortstop and has been with the team since 2023. He’s only 24 years old and has shown strong advanced stats. He has an 8.2 bWAR over his first 364 games, which is very good.

But there’s a problem: his traditional stats don’t look great. His career batting average is .228, and his OPS is .672. That has upset some fans, especially when he struggles in big moments.

Still, he’s improved in 2025. As of Tuesday, Volpe has a career-high .745 OPS in 192 plate appearances and 1.5 bWAR. That ranks second among Yankees hitters—only Aaron Judge has more, with 3.7.

Some experts have imagined a trade between the Yankees and the Atlanta Braves: Anthony Volpe for Ozzie Albies. Albies is 28 years old, has made three All-Star teams, and has played his entire career in Atlanta. This season, though, he’s been struggling, too. He has a .225 average, five home runs, 17 RBIs, and just 0.2 bWAR in 204 plate appearances.

He’s also under a very affordable contract. He signed a seven-year, $35 million deal in 2019, and the Braves have two team options after that, both with $4 million buyouts. That makes him a budget-friendly All-Star.

But the trade isn’t simple. The Yankees don’t have good shortstop depth. They tried moving third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera to short, but he got hurt with a severe ankle injury. Jazz Chisholm is another option, but he hasn’t played shortstop since 2021.

There’s one more factor: top prospect George Lombard Jr. could take over next year, but he’s struggling too. At Double-A Somerset, he started the season going just 6-for-33.

So, while a Volpe-for-Albies trade is tempting, it would leave the Yankees very thin at shortstop in 2025. It might make more sense to explore this idea again at the Winter Meetings in December.

Devin Williams Might Be Dealt to Phillies After Struggles

Finally, we have Devin Williams. The Yankees traded for the two-time All-Star closer from the Milwaukee Brewers before the season. But so far, things haven’t worked out.

In 19 games, Williams has a 7.31 ERA. That’s especially bad, considering he gave up the same number of earned runs in his last two full seasons combined. Because of this, he’s already been removed from the closer role. Luke Weaver has taken his place.

Now, the Yankees are thinking about trading him. One proposed deal, suggested by Garrett Kerman at Clutch Points, would send Williams to the Philadelphia Phillies. In return, the Yankees would get outfielder Jordan Viars and right-handed pitcher Andrew Baker.

The Phillies are in a tough spot after their closer, José Alvarado, got hit with an 80-game PED suspension. He also won’t be allowed to play in the postseason, which gives them a strong reason to go after Williams.

Williams is still showing some signs of life. His changeup is still effective—it’s holding hitters to a .209 expected batting average. In his last five outings, he hasn’t allowed a run and has struck out the side twice.

He’s also in the final year of his contract, which pays him $9 million. That makes him a low-risk option for the Phillies. Plus, a reunion with Phillies pitching coach Caleb Cotham could help. Cotham was with Williams during his breakout season in 2023.

If Williams keeps improving, the Yankees might decide to hold onto him. But if he slips again, they may be quick to move him for young talent.

The New York Yankees are still sitting first place in the American League East. But at the same time, they’re dealing with more and more injuries that could slow them down. The latest setback happened Monday night in Seattle when third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera broke his left ankle while scoring the final run in the Yankees’ 11–5 win over the Mariners.

That said, DJ LeMahieu has returned from injury and is expected to help stabilize the infield. Marcus Stroman, who was signed to strengthen the starting rotation, is injured and struggling, yet his name is now circulating in trade rumors. Several other players, including Jonathan Loáisiga, Scott Effross, Luis Gil, and Giancarlo Stanton, are also working through injuries.

With all of this happening at once, the Yankees are being tested. Every move, injury update, and rehab assignment is starting to carry more weight as the season progresses.

Cabrera’s Emotional Exit After Scoring in Pain: “Did I Score?”

Oswaldo Cabrera’s injury happened late in the game on Monday night, May 12, at T-Mobile Park. In the top of the ninth inning, Cabrera raced home from third on a sacrifice fly from Aaron Judge. As he reached back to touch the plate, his left foot planted awkwardly, and he went down in clear pain. He stayed on the ground for several minutes and had to be stretchered off and taken from the field in a medical cart.

Despite the pain, Cabrera’s first question was whether he had scored. “Did I score?” he asked Judge as he was being taken off the field. The answer was yes, but the cost was high.

The next morning, the Yankees placed Cabrera on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left ankle. He was discharged from a hospital in Seattle and flew back to New York without a hard cast. It’s still unknown if there is ligament damage, though he will meet with Dr. Justin Greisberg, an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist, to determine if surgery is needed and what the recovery timeline will be.

Manager Aaron Boone didn’t commit to any timeline, saying, “I have no idea. We’ll see.” Boone visited Cabrera at the hospital on Monday night, along with many Yankees players. By Tuesday morning, Cabrera was seen smiling and talking in the hotel lobby. Boone added, “He was smiling, happy. He’s in good hands.”

Cabrera has been a regular in the lineup this season and is batting .243 with one home run and 11 RBIs. His energy and flexibility in the field made him a key part of the roster.

DJ LeMahieu Activated to Fill the Gap

Just as Cabrera went down, DJ LeMahieu was activated from the injured list. He had been recovering from a left calf strain and hip discomfort. During his rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset, he went 6-for-10 with a home run and three RBIs in four games.

LeMahieu returned to the Yankees on Tuesday and is expected to take on a bigger role. While Oswald Peraza started at third base against Seattle, manager Aaron Boone said LeMahieu, Pablo Reyes, and Jorbit Vivas will all be used depending on matchups. LeMahieu is expected to see more time at second base.

“It feels natural,” LeMahieu said about returning to second. “I played there for 12 years. I feel good over there.”

LeMahieu was flying to Seattle during Monday night’s game and learned of Cabrera’s injury when checking the score. “It’s one of the dark sides of the game,” he said. “He’s a great guy and a great player. Really unfortunate.”

Marcus Stroman Could Be Traded While Sidelined

While Cabrera’s injury was a sudden blow, Marcus Stroman’s situation has become more complicated. Stroman is on the injured list with a left knee issue. He’s started only three games this season, with a record of 0–1 and an 11.57 ERA in just 9.1 innings.

Still, his name is coming up in trade talks. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Stroman’s trade value is actually increasing because of a clause in his contract. If he reaches 140 innings this season, he triggers an $18 million player option for 2026. If he doesn’t reach that mark, because of injury or otherwise, teams could acquire him without committing to that option.

That clause had been a major reason teams stayed away in the offseason. But now, with Stroman likely to fall short of 140 innings, he could be seen as a short-term rental.

Stroman is an 11-year veteran with a career record of 87–86 and a 3.77 ERA. He made All-Star appearances with the Blue Jays in 2019 and the Cubs in 2023. He joined the Yankees last season and went 10–9, though he didn’t pitch in the playoffs.

The Yankees are currently using Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Will Warren, and Clarke Schmidt in the rotation. Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil remain out, leaving room for uncertainty. If Stroman is traded, the rotation will need further reinforcement.

Bullpen Sees Some Progress as Injured Pitchers Return

Even though the starting lineup and rotation are facing pressure, the Yankees’ bullpen is starting to show signs of recovery. Jonathan Loáisiga was activated from the IL on May 16. He had not pitched since last year due to a torn UCL and surgery. He last had a full season in 2021, when he posted a 2.17 ERA over 70.2 innings.

To make room for Loáisiga, the Yankees designated lefty Tyler Matzek for assignment. Clayton Beeter was also reinstated but optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Scott Effross is also making progress. He began the season on the IL with a hamstring strain and made one appearance in rookie ball before moving up to Double-A Somerset. Effross, acquired from the Cubs in 2022, has been limited by injuries since arriving. He missed all of 2023 and has made just three appearances in 2024. Nonetheless, he still holds a 2.89 ERA with 82 strikeouts in 77 career games.

Updates on Gil, Schmidt, and Stanton

Luis Gil is not expected back until later this summer. He’s recovering from a lat strain suffered in March. Boone said the team hopes Gil can begin throwing again soon, but the timeline for his return remains mid-to-late summer.

Clarke Schmidt is closer. He made a rehab start for Double-A Somerset and struck out seven batters in 3.1 scoreless innings. Boone said Schmidt will make one more start in the minors before returning to the rotation in mid-April.

Giancarlo Stanton is still not cleared to return. He’s dealing with tendinitis in both elbows and has not swung a bat in over a month. Boone said there is no set timeline for his return. Since joining the Yankees in 2018, Stanton has only played more than 130 games twice.

The New York Rangers had high hopes after winning the Presidents’ Trophy in the 2023–2024 season. However, their playoff push collapsed early, and the momentum that had defined them the year before disappeared. The “No Quit in NY” slogan lost meaning as the team failed to live up to expectations. Now, the Rangers are starting over with a new head coach and many decisions ahead.

General Manager Chris Drury has already taken a big step by hiring Mike Sullivan as the team’s new head coach. Sullivan, who won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017, replaces Peter Laviolette. Drury explained the decision clearly: “The second Mike was available, we quickly and aggressively pursued him… There’s a lot of work to be done.”

That work begins now, with a tight salary cap and a long list of choices that will shape the team’s future.

Salary Cap Issues Could Force Key Veterans Out

The Rangers have less than $9 million in cap space, which is not enough to sign all their restricted free agents and make improvements. Drury may have to trade players who were once part of the team’s core to free up money.

One of those players is Chris Kreider. Kreider has two years left on a $6.5 million AAV contract. Once known for scoring 26 power-play goals in a season, Kreider finished this year with only 30 points. A back injury kept him out for part of the season, and his production dropped. It’s possible he could be traded to a team in the Western Conference.

Carson Soucy is another player the Rangers might trade. They got him from the Vancouver Canucks on March 6, 2025, with a $3.25 million cap hit per year. Starting in July, only 12 teams will be on his no-trade list, which means it will be easier for the Rangers to find a team to send him to. Soucy didn’t make much of a difference during his time in New York. He played just 16 games and finished with only one goal and two assists.

Soucy had hoped to bring energy to the team. He said he was excited to join the Rangers and reunite with Will Borgen and J.T. Miller, former teammates from Seattle. “Obviously, just New York, playing for the Rangers, playing in Madison Square Garden,” he said, explaining his reason for waiving his no-trade clause. But fans weren’t impressed. He earned a D grade for his short time with the team.

Drury had expected more. “We think there’s a lot of possibilities with Carson,” he said at the time. But those expectations didn’t match the results.

Mika Zibanejad could also enter trade talks. He has a full no-movement clause and a contract worth $8.5 million AAV. He scored 62 points this season. If he agrees to a trade, the Rangers could move him to clear more cap space.

Rangers Must Choose Between Keeping or Trading Their RFAs

K’Andre Miller and Will Cuylle are important restricted free agents for the team’s future, and Drury needs to decide how to manage their contracts.

K’Andre Miller is coming off a down season. After scoring 43 points in 2022–2023, he managed only 27 points this year. He played 74 games and averaged 21:57 of ice time per game, but his defensive play was inconsistent.

The Rangers have a few options with Miller. They could take him to arbitration and try to keep his contract near $3.72 million for two more years, meaning that by 2027, he would become an unrestricted free agent. They might offer a longer deal now to lock him in, or possibly trade him if they think his value has peaked.

Will Cuylle had a much stronger season. He scored 20 goals and finished with 45 points. He also had 301 hits and moved up to the second line. Cuylle played a solid two-way game and showed goal-scoring ability. Because of his strong season, other teams might try to sign him with an offer sheet. Drury needs to sign Cuylle quickly to avoid losing him.

Rangers Face Big Decision with 2025 Draft Pick

The Rangers also hold a first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Depending on where they draft, they could have a shot at players like Carter Bear or Radim Mrtka. But there’s another option: send this year’s pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins instead of waiting to send an unprotected 2026 first-round pick.

This decision depends on whether Drury believes Sullivan can turn the team around right away. If he has faith in a quick bounce-back, trading this year’s pick might make more sense.

Artemi Panarin Trade Rumors Grow Louder

One of the biggest questions this offseason is whether the Rangers will trade Artemi Panarin. Panarin had a strong regular season with 37 goals and 52 assists—89 points in 80 games—but struggled again when it mattered most. He is entering the final year of his seven-year, $81.5 million contract.

According to NHL insider David Pagnotta, the Rangers are open to trading Panarin. “They’ve got to decide whether they want to keep going with this core group or if they can move Panarin, get a significant return, and use that cap space,” Pagnotta reported.

One trade idea, proposed by a user on PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, would send Panarin to the Anaheim Ducks. In return, the Rangers would get Trevor Zegras, defense prospect Tyson Hinds, Anaheim’s 2025 first-round pick (10th overall), and a 2025 second-round pick from Winnipeg.

Zegras is 24 and is in the final year of a $17.25 million contract. He had 32 points in 57 games this season. Hinds, 22, has played the past two seasons in the AHL. He could compete for an NHL spot next year.

Panarin, if traded, would add scoring and star power to the Ducks’ lineup. Anaheim would likely want to sign him to an extension as part of the deal.

Ryan Lindgren Moves On After Tough Playoff Exit

The Rangers also said goodbye to Ryan Lindgren, who was traded along with Jimmy Vesey to the Colorado Avalanche. In return, New York received defenseman Calvin de Haan and forward Juuso Parssinen.

Lindgren had a solid year. He scored a career-high 22 points and played through a jaw injury early in the season. He helped the Avalanche reach Game 7 of the first-round playoff series against the Dallas Stars. In that game, he was on the penalty kill when Mikko Rantanen scored a short-handed goal. Rantanen later scored again with a wraparound shot that bounced off Samuel Girard’s skate.

Lindgren finished the playoffs with a +5 rating and 12 blocked shots. He will be a top UFA defenseman in 2025, along with Aaron Ekblad, Vladislav Gavrikov, and Ivan Provorov.

Every year in February, the Super Bowl brings people together across the country. It doesn’t matter if you’re a football fan or not, the Super Bowl has become a yearly national tradition that includes food, entertainment, commercials, and community. At this point, it’s practically part of American culture.

Super Bowl LIX was held on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, and it followed this pattern exactly. The game featured a rematch between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, the same two teams that played in 2023. Once again, fans gathered in homes, restaurants, and public venues to take part in what has become a national celebration.

But how did we get here? To understand the importance of Super Bowl traditions, let’s look at how the event started and how it changed over time.

The Beginning of the Super Bowl

The Super Bowl started because of a merger between two football leagues: the NFL (National Football League) and the AFL (American Football League). In 1966, the two rival leagues agreed that their champions would face each other in a final game. This agreement created the first championship match, which was played on January 15, 1967, between the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Packers won the game 35–10.

At first, the game was not called the Super Bowl. It was simply known as the AFL-NFL World Championship Game. But Lamar Hunt, founder of the AFL, suggested the name “Super Bowl” after seeing his children play with a toy called the “Super Ball.” The media started using the term, and it quickly became permanent.

In the early years, attendance was low, and television ratings weren’t strong. The stadium for the first game was not full, and many fans were not used to traveling to neutral cities. However, this changed over time. In 1978, the NFL decided to air the game during prime time, after 6 PM. This led to a large jump in viewership. By 2023, the Super Bowl had become the most-watched TV broadcast in U.S. history, with 115.1 million people tuning in.

The game’s timing also helped its popularity. The first Super Bowl happened during the Vietnam War, when the country was divided and facing morale issues. Football gave Americans something to rally around. Historians point out that this helped the Super Bowl become much more than a game. It became a shared experience during difficult times.

How Halftime Shows Became the Main Event for Many

In the first Super Bowl, the halftime show featured marching bands from the University of Arizona and Grambling State University, including pigeons and balloons. There were no celebrities or pop stars. It was simply a break from the game, not a show in itself.

That changed in 1993, when Michael Jackson performed at Super Bowl XXVII. His performance attracted more viewers than the game itself. After that, halftime shows became a major part of the event. They now include elaborate stage designs, global artists, and millions of viewers.

In 2023, Rihanna’s halftime show reached 118.7 million viewers, setting a new record. For Super Bowl LIX in 2025, Kendrick Lamar was the headliner. He became only the second hip-hop artist to perform solo during halftime. His show was praised not only for its performance quality but also for representing hip-hop’s growing place in American mainstream culture.

This is important because, for many years, halftime shows only featured pop or rock artists. Including hip-hop artists like Kendrick Lamar shows that the NFL is recognizing cultural shifts and opening its platform to different voices.

Super Bowl Food: Why We Eat So Much

Food is one of the most important Super Bowl traditions. It’s the second-biggest eating day in the United States after Thanksgiving. People plan menus, shop in advance, and prepare large amounts of snacks. One food stands out more than others: chicken wings.

During Super Bowl LIX, Americans ate about 1.4 billion chicken wings. The reason wings are so popular has to do with capsaicin, a compound in chili peppers. Sean O’Keefe, a food scientist, explains that capsaicin creates a burning feeling that makes spicy foods exciting to eat.

Popular dishes also included Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes, Buffalo Cauliflower Sandwiches, and Buffalo Chicken Dip. These foods are easy to make, full of flavor, and easy to share with a group.

At the same time, experts remind people to focus on food safety. Melissa Wright, a food safety specialist, recommends washing hands for at least 20 seconds before preparing food, keeping raw and cooked food separate, and making sure chicken is cooked to at least 165°F. Food should not sit out for more than two hours, and leftovers should be eaten within four days.

With concerns about avian flu still present during the 2025 game, proper handling of poultry was especially important.

Why Super Bowl Commercials Matter So Much

Another tradition is watching commercials, since most of the time, people skip ads, but not during the Super Bowl. Advertisers pay huge sums of money because they know millions of people will be watching.

In 1984, Apple aired a now-famous ad for the Macintosh computer. It was directed by Ridley Scott and looked more like a short film than a typical commercial –– an ad changed how companies approached Super Bowl marketing.

In 2025, the cost of a 30-second commercial reached a new high of $8 million. Companies saw it as worth the cost because no other event can guarantee such a large, engaged audience.

This year, Doritos brought back its “Crash the Super Bowl” contest, inviting fans to submit their own ads. More than 2,000 entries were submitted. According to Dan Cohen from PepsiCo Foods North America, this kind of campaign builds brand loyalty by letting fans feel like part of the experience.

Taco Bell took a similar approach. Instead of hiring celebrities, they featured real customers in their ads using “Live Más Drive-Thru Cams.” Ronald Quintero, a company spokesperson, called the ad a “love letter” to Taco Bell’s customers.

Jennifer Freeman, an advertising expert at Temple University, says this shows a shift in strategy. Audiences today want real stories and real people. Super Bowl ads have become part of the entertainment, not just a break in the action.

Why the Super Bowl Keeps Bringing People Together

Some major cultural events, like the Oscars or the Olympics, have lost viewers. But the Super Bowl has only grown. One reason, according to Bryant Simon, a history professor at Temple University, is that football works well on TV — it’s one game, easy to follow, and comes with all the drama, tension, and high stakes you could wish for.

Another reason is the variety. Even people who don’t care about football can still enjoy the commercials, the food, or the halftime show. In 2025, pop star Taylor Swift attended the game in support of her boyfriend, Travis Kelce of the Chiefs. She had performed in Japan the night before but made it to Las Vegas in time. Her presence attracted more viewers and media attention.

Jennifer Freeman calls the Super Bowl a “cultural campfire” — a moment when people gather, share an experience, and feel part of something bigger. Even if people don’t watch football all year, they tune in for this event.