Cashman having both buyer, seller conversations

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.

Following a 5-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Friday, the Yankees are under .500 after the All-Star break for the first time since 1995. With two weeks to go before the non-waiver trade deadline, they find themselves 5.5 games back of the nearest wild-card spot and have forced Cashman to wear both his buyer and seller hats as talks intensify.

"In my job, I'm having both conversations," Cashman told MLB Network Radio. "That's part of my job responsibilities, to be prepared in the event the worst-case scenario happens."

It's never been in the Yankees' DNA to wave the white flag and rebuild, but Cashman has a number of pieces he could deal that would help rejuvenate the organization. Impending free agents Aroldis Chapman and Carlos Beltran are enjoying excellent seasons, while All-Star reliever Andrew Miller, first baseman Mark Teixeira, right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, and left-hander CC Sabathia are other potential players who could be moved.

New York has two more games with the Red Sox this weekend, before four against the Baltimore Orioles and a three-game set with the San Francisco Giants. Cashman believes that how things go on this current home stand will likely dictate the route he takes at the deadline.

"Nothing's going on," Cashman said. "We're in the same boat we are now. We're waiting to see how we are here over the next two weeks, and we're certainly looking to add if possible, but I'll also be prepared to deviate if directives are given that we should do so. But it's like any other business.

"You're basically in communication every day, above and below. I'm dealing with my owner, and our manager, and our coaching staff, and our scouts, and the other 29 clubs at the same time."