The New York Yankees have a need at third base after moving Jazz Chisholm Jr. back to second base.
The Yankees are likely to look to add an infielder ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today revealed the Yankees are one of three teams that are interested in trading for Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes.
“The New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, and Chicago Cubs have all checked in with the Pirates for third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes,” Nighetngale wrote.
Hayes is a glove-first third baseman who would help the Yankees’ infield defense, which has been an issue this season. He’s in the fourth year of his eight-year, $70 million deal with the Pirates. So he would be the Yankees’ third baseman for the next few years if New York does trade him.
With the Pirates looking to clear money, Hayes’ name has come up in trade talks, and the Yankees would be a logical trading partner as New York needs a third baseman.
Hayes is hitting .237 with 2 home runs and 33 RBIs this season with the Pirates. He would be a bottom-of-the-order bat for the Yankees. But, would be an upgrade offensively and defensively over Jorbit Vivas.
Yankees GM Plans to Look for Upgrade at Third Base
New York is currently chasing the Toronto Blue Jays for the top spot in the AL East, which should make them aggressive ahead of the trade deadline.
The Yankees are likely to look to add pitching, but Cashman isn’t ruling out the team looking at an upgrade at third.
“We pursue options,” Cashman said. “But they’re within everything that our ownership provides for us to do. It doesn’t mean that we can do everything at any time. It just comes down to the array of choices available to you, whether it’s a trade or a free agent acquisition.
“At some point, you may run out of how much money you’re spending, and some big log may be too much to add to the fire, if it’s a free agent import or if it’s a trade import,” Cashman added. “It might be robbing Peter to pay Paul.”
The Yankees are currently using Vivas and Oswald Peraza at third base.
Yankees Showing Interest in Eugenio Suarez
Along with Hayes, the Yankees are also showing trade interest in slugging third baseman Eugenio Suárez.
Nightengale reports that New York has sent scouts to watch pitchers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly of the Arizona Diamondbacks. A trade could be part of a much bigger one involving Suárez.
“The Yankees and Red Sox, each looking for a starting pitcher, have sent scouts to watch Diamondbacks starters Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly in Phoenix. With the Yankees also keeping a close eye on third baseman Eugenio Suárez,” Nightengale wrote.
Suárez is hitting .254 with 33 home runs and 81 RBIs this season with the Diamondbacks. He’s in the final year of his seven-year, $66 million deal. So with him being a pending free agent, he likely will be traded ahead of the July 31 deadline.
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