Yankees should look to Reds Swiss army knife to solve several trade deadline needs

The New York Yankees' primary trade deadline needs involve upgrades at catcher, within the bullpen, and, if the stars align, the top of the rotation. Even if they were to come away with all of that, the needs don't stop. Brian Cashman would be well served to address a whole host of other weak spots as well, such as a replacement or platoon partner for Ryan McMahon, a right-handed-hitting outfielder, and perhaps an upgrade over Amed Rosario.

That sounds like a lot. There's no guarantee that New York can fill all of its primary needs, let alone these ancillary ones, but what if they could find a complete solution in just one player who could shore up all of those secondary holes? They'd be in business. Such a player exists, and his name is Spencer Steer of the Cincinnati Reds.

Reds' utility man Spencer Steer should be on the Yankees' radar as a versatile right-handed bat

Amed Rosario looked as if he was in line for a big year as the season got underway. However, as the season has progressed, he's proven to be a liability. The former Mets top prospect's primary job was to mash lefties, but he's hit just .211/.270/.400 against southpaws this season. As McMahon's caddy, that doesn't really play.

Rosario's second job was to fill in at second base and in the outfield, but he's been a liability defensively at every position he's played, including third base. With 0.0 fWAR through the All-Star break, he's been the definition of a replacement-level player.

Speaking of the outfield, a right-handed bat has been a need all season. In addition to Rosario, Jose Caballero has gotten run out there, and despite his best efforts, he just hasn't been very good defensively. Given Anthony Volpe's track record, at any time it could become clear that Caballero needs to take over shortstop full time again.

Meanwhile, Jasson Dominguez is a pseudo-right-handed-hitting outfielder, but he comes with his own set of issues. The glove is a major problem, and he's not hitting well from either side of the plate - though, strangely, he has hit better when batting right-handed, with a .265/.294/.408 from the righty batter's box.

Steer is a fix across the board. The 28-year-old has played every position except shortstop and catcher this year and is at least a passable defender at almost all of the positions he plays. He was a Gold Glove finalist as the Reds' everyday first baseman last year, providing another option at the cold corner if Paul Goldschmidt continues turning into a pumpkin, too.

Steer slays left-handed pitching, with a .333/.436/.603 line against southpaws. Overall, he's hitting .247/.328/.421 with 14 homers so far this year. He's a perennial 20-plus homer threat, clocking between 20 and 23 dingers in each of the last three seasons.

He makes just $4 million this year and is under team control through 2028, making him a cheap third base alternative or partner for McMahon. With the Yankees paying McMahon $16 million this year and next, plus owing DJ LeMahieu $15 million to not play for them this season, getting a cheap alternative is key.

Bob Nightengale has reported that Steer is expected to be available and in-demand as the Reds' playoff hopes crumble. That means he won't be cheap to acquire, but he would be worth it. He'd make the Yankees better on multiple fronts and would help injury-proof the club by bringing starting-level production to nearly every position on the diamond. Paying the price to land him might just be worth it.

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