The New York Yankees are going to be an interesting team at this year’s trade deadline. They have a lot of needs to fill for a second half run.
At 55-45, the Bronx Bombers lead the American League Wild Card race and sit four games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East. They could use help at third base and in the starting rotation.
Both Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt are out for the season recovering from Tommy John surgery, so New York should be very busy in the coming days.
Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report listed third base and starting pitching as New York’s biggest needs. He also proposed the idea of New York checking both boxes by making a blockbuster deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“There has been a lot of talk of Eugenio Suárez filling what has been a gaping hole at third base in the Bronx, but the Yankees lead the American League in scoring even with their shortcomings at the hot corner and should be much more focused on addressing a starting rotation that leaves much to be desired. Of course, they could ‘two birds, one stone’ their needs by trading for a D-backs package of Suárez and Merrill Kelly.”
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Both Kelly and Suarez would fill the Yankees’ needs. Suarez brings power from the right side of the plate, while Kelly can give them solid veteran innings and an arm that can be relied upon in October.
Suarez, a two-time All-Star is hitting .257/.328/.605 with 36 home runs, 86 RBI and a .933 OPS, while Kelly is 9-5 with a 3.32 ERA in 21 starts and 122 innings pitched.
The Diamondbacks have recently heated up and may end up being buyers at the trade deadline. However, if they can’t follow up their sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals with more success, then it might make sense for them to sell.
The Yankees would have a much better chance to gain ground in the AL East and potentially take first place back from the Blue Jays. Yankee Stadium is hitter friendly for Suarez, who is having a monster year at the plate.
It will be interesting to see how the Yankees tackle their needs at the deadline.
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