Every New York Yankees fan is painfully aware of the biggest weakness in the team’s lineup entering Spring Training.
With the additions of Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger, the Yankees have solidified their outfield and first base position. With Jazz Chisholm Jr. expected to shift to second base following Gleyber Torres’ departure, third base is by far the biggest question mark.
The Yankees’ internal options, D.J. LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Oswald Peraza, leave plenty to be desired. That could cause the Yankees to take a long look at the third base trade market, if they aren’t already doing so.
One name that hasn’t been in too many trade rumors this winter is the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Eugenio Suárez, who had his $15 million club option picked up for the 2025 season. An impending free agent, Suárez could be dealt if Arizona suddenly feels desperate for salary relief.
On Thursday, Newsweek’s Drew VonScio proposed a hypothetical trade that would send Suárez to the Bronx in exchange for relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. and right-handed pitcher Clayton Beeter, a 26-year-old Triple-A pitcher.
“Suárez would be a major upgrade to the Yankees infield as the everyday third baseman,” VonScio wrote.
“It was a slight down year for Leiter, but he is expected to bounce back in 2025. He would immediately slot in toward the back end of the Diamondbacks bullpen. Clayton Beeter would provide (Arizona) with a depth arm for the rotation.”
Suárez, 33, had a .788 OPS in 2024, leading the Diamondbacks with 30 home runs and 101 RBI. It was the Venezuelan slugger’s fifth season with at least 30 homers, including 49 in his fantastic 2019 campaign.
It’s not entirely clear why the Diamondbacks would take two fringe major league pitchers in return for Suárez, though. Adding at least one prospect with more upside than Beeter might be the bare minimum for Arizona’s front office to consider such a move.
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