The New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks could be interested in making a few trades together before the trade deadline in the next week and a half. From the Yankees’ perspective, there’s already guaranteed interest in Eugenio Suarez.
Reports have also indicated that the Yankees are interested in right-hander Merrill Kelly, who could be a massive addition for them.
Will the Diamondbacks Be Sellers?
Unfortunately, the Arizona Diamondbacks have dealt with multiple injuries throughout the year. When entering the campaign, this looked to be a squad with a real chance to win a World Series, or at least compete for a playoff spot.
For the New York Yankees, however, it isn’t anything they can be too worried about. The Yankees have to find a way to get better at the deadline, and Kelly and Suarez would both be great additions.
While the Yankees need help in the infield, one could make a strong argument that finding an ace-caliber arm like Kelly could put them over the top even more than a bat.
When recently looking at potential additions for the Yankees, FanSided proposed the idea of New York trading for Kelly, noting that Suarez and Kelly could strengthen them on “crucial fronts.”
“The Yankees could go to Arizona in hopes of securing a big deal to address two areas of need. Dealing for Suárez and starting pitcher Merrill Kelly would strengthen the team on two crucial fronts. At 36 years of age, Kelly is largely a rental, but he’s in the midst of an excellent season for the Diamondbacks. He’s posted a 3.34 ERA in 20 starts and is striking out almost one batter per inning. He won’t challenge Max Fried or Carlos Rodon for a spot atop Boone’s rotation, but he could slide in as a nice No. 3 option for Boone and his managerial staff.
“Arizona would prefer to part with Zac Gallen instead of Kelly, but the Yankees should hold out for the veteran. He’d give them a nice short-term boost of stability in their starting rotation ahead of a hopeful push towards October,” they wrote.
Where Would the Yankees Stand After This Blockbuster Trade?
It’s tough to say which player would be more expensive on the trade front for the New York Yankees. Suarez has been incredible this year, hitting 35 home runs already. Kelly, however, has also been excellent. He has a 3.32 ERA and has struck out 118 hitters in 122.0 innings.
If the Yankees could walk away with both of them, they’d be in a great spot, but The Athletic didn’t want to get greedy. They predicted that the Yankees would only trade for Kelly, giving them an arm who can start in playoff games during big October moments.
“The Yankees need a pitcher who could start a playoff game for them. The Diamondbacks seem destined to be sellers. Trading for Merrill Kelly would be a tremendous win for general manager Brian Cashman and his front office. Max Fried and Carlos Rodón could be a strong 1-2 punch at the front of a postseason rotation, and Luis Gil seems poised to make his way back from injury. But Kelly misses bats at a high clip, and as a rental, his price shouldn’t be sky high,” Brendan Kuty wrote.
Yankee Trade Proposal Brings in $24 Million Ace