Yankees trade for $66 million slugger ‘would make a lot of sense,’ per insider

The New York Yankees need an upgrade to their infield. DJ LeMahieu is struggling, and they could acquire a slugging infielder at the trade deadline.

DJ LeMahieu has a .653 OPS this season and has been the team’s primary second baseman. Jazz Chisholm Jr. started the season at second base and is a much better defender there than in the hot corner. The Yankees could add a third baseman at the trade deadline to help move Chisholm back to second base, while also upgrading their offense by getting LeMahieu out of the lineup.

The Athletic’s Jim Bowden polled over 40 MLB executives, and they tabbed Eugenio Suárez of the Arizona Diamondbacks as a potential player who could be moved at the deadline. Bowden tabbed the Yankees as a fit for Suárez as well.

“Suárez has had a tremendous first half, belting 26 home runs with 69 RBIs, so his value is high despite being an impending free agent,” wrote Bowden. “Arizona could swap him in a buyer-to-buyer type of trade for a starting pitcher or impact reliever. The Diamondbacks’ top prospect, Jordan Lawlar, could replace Suárez, 33, at the hot corner if he’s traded. A reunion with the Mariners or a deal with the Yankees, who could then move Jazz Chisholm Jr. back to second base, would make a lot of sense.”

Suárez could be a hot name at the trade deadline after a very strong first half. However, there is no telling whether or not the Diamondbacks will be sellers when the trade deadline rolls around. They are in fourth place in the National League West and have some key players injured. They can still make a wild card push, but it may be smarter to trade away some pending free agents.

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Suárez is playing on a club option this season. He signed a seven-year, $66 million deal in 2018, and the 33-year-old will hit the open market for the first time in his career after this season. The Yankees could view him as a great rental piece to help make a World Series run this year.