Two teams to keep a strong eye on as MLB’s trade deadline looms are the New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Yankees sit atop the American League East, but could still desperately use some offensive production, especially on their infield, which lacks power. As for the Diamondbacks, they are a game above .500, but trying to compete in a difficult NL West sees them in fourth place.
Both squads will likely be active in making trades this summer, as the Yankees have World Series aspirations, and the D-Backs could be sellers if they don’t creep closer in the playoff race.
Trade Idea Sends Power-Hitting Third-Baseman to the Big Apple
Third-baseman Eugenio Suárez is a name that has been garnering traction in the trade market. He has 21 home runs on the season and would be a perfect fit for the New York Yankees, which has had to run out Jazz Chisholm Jr. and DJ LeMahieu at the hot corner. Lemahieu had just nine RBIs in 27 games played and just eight runs scored. Chisholm has been more productive, but with Oswaldo Cabrera being on the Injured List, he could move to second base.
This trade idea makes a lot of sense for both sides and would allow for Suárez to slot right in the middle of the Yankees’ order.
MLB Insider Buster Olney seems to think the same, and believes that the Yankees may have interest, as general manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Mike Hazen, may be under some pressure this deadline. Olney named Suarez in a recent ESPN article and named some of the Diamondbacks’ top players, like Zac Gallen, Josh Naylor, and Suárez, as potential targets.
What Would Arizona Receive in Return?
Giving up a prolific power hitter in Suarez would likely come at a large cost. The former All-Star has an .834 OPS this season and 57 runs driven in, in 71 games played. He has the potential of being named to another All-Star appearance this season, as he completed a heroic four-homer game against the Atlanta Braves earlier this season. The New York Yankees would be giving up top pitching prospect Ben Hess and starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt in this trade package. Suárez is set to be a free agent after this season.
Schmidt has started 11 games for the Yankees this season and has pitched to a 3.16 ERA in 62.2 innings, but to acquire a slugger of the caliber of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ third baseman, New York would have to give up something of great worth. Plus, Luis Gil and Marcus Stroman should return to the rotation sometime later this summer.
As the deadline approaches in late July, the Diamondbacks’ star players are important names to keep an eye out for. We have already seen a shocking trade this season with Rafael Devers going to the San Francisco Giants, so nothing is really off the table. If the Yankees want to get back to the Fall Classic in October, that infield power will have to improve. Aside from first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, no other infielder is a real threat to hit consistent home runs.
Yankees-Diamondbacks Trade Idea Sends 21 Home Run Slugger to New York