Pros and cons of Yankees’ 4 rumored trade deadline third baseman targets

The Yankees have been rumored to be in the market for a third baseman at this year’s trade deadline for quite a while now, and it seems that those rumors are starting to bear fruit. Several names have been floated around the pinstriped community in recent weeks, as reports continue to come out that Brian Cashman is starting to narrow down his search at the hot corner.

I believe there are four realistic options the Yankees could pursue before the deadline, and they each come with upside and drawbacks. 

4 realistic third base options Yankees could pursue at MLB trade deadline (with pros and cons)

Ryan McMahon

I feel like a broken record connecting McMahon and the Yankees, as it seems like the two parties have been intertwined at the trade deadline for years now. 

Maybe, just maybe, this is the year for it to finally happen. The $70 million dollar Rockies infielder has been having a tough season so far, batting just .213 with 12 homers an OPS of .696. He has still played good defense and taken his walks, but his offensive production this year is arguably at an all-time low.

The Rockies, who have shown reluctance to deal the 30-year-old in the past, are willing to entertain the Yankees' advances, according to Jon Heyman. Given McMahon's current struggles and the team's historically bad record, the Yankees would likely only have to give up a prospect or two.

A cheap acquisition of a historically decent hitter who play solid defense could be a good option for the Yankees, especially if Cashman wants to splash on other areas that need improving, like the struggling bullpen.

If McMahon came over in a relatively low-risk deal and was able to play good defense and return to league-average offensive production, I believe he could be a solid fit for the Yankees.

Eugenio Suarez

The one target that Yankees fans are clamoring for is Eugenio Suarez, who has been of the best run producers in baseball this year. He is top four in MLB in both home runs and RBI, and he has hit for a solid average as well, currently hitting .250 while reaching base at a .318 clip.

Suarez is a free agent after this season, and he told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic that, while happy in Arizona, he is aware of the rumors and understands that baseball is a business and that his future is not guaranteed.

Suarez, now 33 years old, could be a good rental for the Yankees. it is known that the Yankees are likely going to be all-in on NPB superstar Munetaka Murakami when he hits the market in the offseason, and Suarez could bridge the slugging gap from now until then (Murakami plays both third and first).

However, given that a large part of the Yankees desire to improve at third base is defense, Suarez might not be their guy.

Despite the elite bat, Suarez has been rather shaky defensively this year, as he has an OAA of -5, a number that lands him in the 7th percentile of all third baseman according to Baseball Savant.

While this may be the dream option offensively, I doubt that the former Mariner will don the pintripes this season. He would demand a sizeable return for the Diamondbacks and does not fit the profile that I believe Brian Cashman is looking for. I sure would love to see him slide into the middle of the Yankee order, though. That would be truly terrifying.

Ke'Bryan Hayes

On the complete other side of the spectrum, Ke'Bryan Hayes is the best defensive third baseman in baseball. He has an OAA of 13, which is the highest mark for any third baseman in MLB, per Baseball Savant.

The Texas native got out to an extremely slow start this season, struggling immensely in the first two and a half months. However, after a disastrous month of May that saw him hit just .200, he has gotten hot extremely fast.

He had a huge June, hitting over .300. So far in July it has been much of the same, as he has now extended his hitting streak to 12 games.

His season numbers still leave a bit to be desired, with his average below .250 and his OPS just under .600.

However, at the right price, I think Hayes would be the perfect fit for the Yankees; he is a Gold Glove-caliber third baseman and a solid, serviceable hitter when at his best. I see him as the most likely solution for the Yankees at the hot corner, and I would be all for it.

He is known to be available at the deadline, with the Pirates looking to sell after what has been a disastrous season so far.

Luis Rengifo

This is an interesting one. Luis Rengifo has been enduring a horribly unlucky season at the plate, with his current batting average sitting at .227 despite his expected batting average being an even 50 points higher.

The 28-year-old is probably the most well-rounded out of any of the options that have been linked with the Yankees, as he has been a very good hitter in his career and an average fielder.

The biggest problem with this proposed trade is the same as that of the Suarez trade: he is a free agent at the end of this year. Rengifo will have his fair share of suitors due to his rather young age and very solid career numbers, and there's no guarantee he would be in the Bronx beyond this season.

Another issue is the potential reluctance of the Angels to sell at the deadline, as they are still in the hunt for a Wild Card spot in the American League. As long as they have a chance, it is unlikely they will sell, especially with Mike Trout's growing health concerns and age.

Should Rengifo be available, I could definitely see his switch-hitting bat sliding into the lower third of the Yankees order with ease, especially given his ability to use all parts of the field.

Overall, which option is most desirable to you is completely subjective. There is no definitive player available that the Yankees could look at to solve all their problems completely. Cashman is going to have to make a decision about which qualities he values most at this deadline and make his choice from there.

I don't envy that part of his job.