The New York Yankees could benefit from some upgrades to their infield at the trade deadline. They could add a power bat to their lineup from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
DJ LeMahieu's return from the injured list has moved Jazz Chisholm Jr. back to the hot corner. However, Chisholm is not as strong defensively at third base as he is at second base, and LeMahieu's bat and defense are both below average right now. LeMahieu is slashing .244/.33/.341 on the year, and has handled a majority of the work at second base.
Yahoo Sports' Russell Dorsey noted that Diamondbacks' third baseman Eugenio Suárez could be on the move at the trade deadline, and linked the Yankees to him as a potential suitor.
"Right-handed power is hard to come by in baseball these days, which makes Eugenio Suárez a highly coveted player," wrote Dorsey. "The D-backs’ third baseman has been one of the game’s top power threats this season, batting .234 with 21 home runs and 58 RBI. And that’s nothing new: Since the 2019 season, he ranks sixth in MLB in homers, behind only Aaron Judge, Pete Alonso, Kyle Schwarber, Shohei Ohtani and Matt Olson.
"Suárez, who will be a free agent at season’s end, is also considered one of the game’s top personalities and has the ability to bring a clubhouse together — an added benefit for any contender."
Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp
Suárez signed a $66 million deal in 2018, but is playing on a $15 million club option this season. The veteran slugger will be a free agent after the season, and if the Diamondbacks decide to sell at the deadline, he could be an attractive piece for many contenders. He has hit 297 career home runs, and three have come at Yankee Stadium. He could add to that number for a deep October run.
More MLB: Red Sox free agent pitch brings $70 million All-Star to Boston