If there was any question about the New York Yankees’ need for offense at the trade deadline, the last six games have answered it loud and clear.
During their six-game losing streak, the Yankees have scored a grand total of six runs. Superstar Aaron Judge hasn’t hit a home run since Friday, and while he’s completely entitled to a mini-slump, no one is stepping up to pick up the slack.
The Yankees have a crowded outfield, so their best bet to find an impact bat is probably on the infield. Fortunately, there are both second and third basemen who project to be available at the trade deadline, and the Yankees can shift Jazz Chisholm Jr. to cover either position.
One former Yankees arch-rival believes New York will land a serious power threat to man the hot corner the rest of the way.
During a recent Bleacher Report livestream, Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez predicted that the Yankees would trade for Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez, who will be a free agent after the season.
“I think that would be a great bat to have in New York,” Martinez said. “Not taking anything away from Jazz Chisholm, but the presence of that big bat in the lineup for the Yankees, or for the Mets, who really need some help in that corner, I think he would be a great fit.”
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Suarez, 33, has an impressive .825 OPS so far this season, which ranks fourth among qualified third basemen, and he leads all hitters at the position with 21 home runs. He hasn’t made an All-Star team since 2018 with the Cincinnati Reds, but he might be on track to make it this year.
Suarez has a $15 million salary, so the Yankees would have to absorb the remaining $5.5 million or so depending on when the trade went through.
The real issue, though, is whether or not Arizona decides to sell. It’s still a possibility even if they remain in the Wild Card hunt, as they have several expiring contracts (namely, Suarez and pitchers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly).
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