Toronto – The first obstacle for the Yankees in acquiring Eugenio Suarez is whether the Diamondbacks actually decide to sell.
Next, they’ll face even tougher competition. Other teams also need a third baseman or a power hitter.
Suarez is not just a standout third baseman potentially available; he might be the top bat on the market overall.
Interestingly, the Yankees are looking at a 34-year-old slugger.
Reports from Baseball America and MLB.com indicate that teams like the Cubs, Mariners, Tigers, and maybe even the Brewers could use a third base upgrade, and they all rank higher than the Yankees in that regard.
Assuming the Diamondbacks decide to sell, Suarez is only increasing his value, especially with his performance, hitting 18 home runs in the last 32 games and boasting a .325 batting average and 1.220 OPS.
“He’s definitely had an impressive season,” said Aaron Boone. “He’s been a solid power hitter for a while. Many teams will be interested. Arizona seems somewhat uncertain in their direction.”
Suarez does have some flaws, like below-average fielding skills and high strikeout rates.
Nevertheless, his offensive production would significantly outweigh what the Yankees have seen this season at that position, aside from brief flashes from Jazz Chisholm Jr. before he moved back to second base.
As of Tuesday, the Yankees’ third baseman had a 0.1 bWAR this season, putting them 16th among major league teams. The position has produced 0.7 fWAR, ranking them at 21st.
The Cubs have struggled even more, with a 0.4 bWAR and a 0.3 fWAR, placing them at 29th.
While third base is certainly a pressing need for many competing teams, discussions arise about whether the Yankees’ priorities lie more in strengthening their bullpen or starting rotation.
The bullpen has faced challenges, being overworked and plagued by injuries lately, yet the Yankees are still averaging third runs per game, even with their third base issues.
So, how do they manage their resources, especially with top prospect George Lombard Jr. likely off the table? There’s also Red Hot Spencer Jones, who may not be part of a deal before the upcoming trade deadline.
It’s believed the Diamondbacks will want pitching in return for Suarez.
The Yankees’ top pitching prospect, Cam Schlittler, started his second major league game on Tuesday, but many of their other promising arms are still at the high-A or double-A levels.
If the Yankees can’t come to terms with the Diamondbacks for Suarez, they might consider alternatives like Ryan McMahon from the Rockies or Kebrian Hayes from the Pirates.
Both are under contract beyond this year—McMahon through 2027 and Hayes through 2029. They are both solid defenders, especially Hayes, but their offensive numbers are below average this season.
“I believe McMahon would excel with the Yankees,” commented an NL scout. “His style of play fits well. He’s a Gold Glove defender and would provide stability on the left side of the infield. Plus, as a left-handed hitter, he’d be an asset in New York.”
