The Arizona Diamondbacks likely will not be selling at the deadline, but could move a veteran bat to help facilitate more playing time for a young, talented prospect, and the Yankees could be an ideal trade partner.
The Diamondbacks called up their top prospect Jordan Lawlar earlier this month. However, it is difficult to find consistent at-bats for him as third base, second base and shortstop are all occupied. Lawlar is the No. 4 prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. FanSided’s Stephen Parello suggested the Diamondbacks could trade former All-Star Eugenio Suárez to the Yankees to open up third base.
“For the Yankees, Suarez fits like a glove. The veteran is durable, playing at least 143 games or more (with most seasons seeing him reach the high-150s) every year since 2016, save for the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign,” wrote Parello. “He’s also a right-handed power bat.”
Suárez would be a clear upgrade in the hot corner for the Yankees. Last season, he slashed .256/.319/.469 and hit 30 home runs. This season, his average is just .219, but he is making up for it with an .813 OPS and 14 home runs. He has hit 30-plus home runs in three of the last four seasons.
Suárez signed a seven-year, $66 million deal with the Cincinnati Reds in 2018. Since then, he has been traded to the Seattle Mariners and then the Diamondbacks. He will be a free agent after the season and is playing on a $15 million club option this year.
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The Diamondbacks will likely make Lawlar one of their starting infielders next year, but need to get him consistent at-bats now to feel comfortable in that move. Trading Suárez before letting him walk would start the Lawlar era for the Diamondbacks. Meanwhile, the Yankees would finally get a third baseman they can rely on and keep Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base.
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