TORONTO — With the July 31 trade deadline looming and the Diamondbacks deliberating, the Yankees have been repeatedly linked to Arizona’s Eugenio Suárez.
While the sub-.500 D-backs, 5.5 games out of a wild card spot, haven’t committed to selling yet, rumors have been swirling around Suárez as other teams check in on him. On Saturday, the third baseman homered twice in front of numerous rival scouts, including those of the Yankees. Suárez added two more dingers on Sunday and another on Monday.
“He’s obviously having a great year,” Aaron Boone said Monday before the Yankees’ current go-to third baseman, Oswald Peraza, made a costly throwing error in a 4-1 loss. “He’s been a really good power hitter in the league for a long time.
“I’m sure he’s going to be talked about by a lot of teams. Arizona seems like one of those teams that you don’t know what they’re doing either. They’re kind of on the periphery of contention right now, but obviously have had some guys injured, so we’ll see.”
Eugenio Suárez is out of this world right now 🤯 pic.twitter.com/GSbNfGKBxv
— MLB (@MLB) July 22, 2025
Suárez, meanwhile, recently addressed reports connecting him to the Bombers.
“It’s a team that wants to win,” he said during the All-Star break. “They’re hungry still. If I got over there, I would do my best and try to help them win the World Series.”
Of course, the Yankees won’t be alone in pursuing Suárez if he becomes available.
The Cubs are another team that could use the two-time All-Star at third, and the Mariners — one of Suárez’s previous employers — have been tied to him, too. Suárez, meanwhile, recently expressed interest in a reunion with the Tigers, per Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press.
With the competition for Suárez sure to be steep if Arizona sells, let’s take a look at what he would bring to the Yankees in a potential deal.
A POWERFUL BAT
Should he become available, Suárez will be the best bat on the market. His 36 home runs are tied with Aaron Judge and only trail Cal Raleigh, and he leads the majors with 86 RBI.
Suárez has 66 home runs dating back to last year, the fifth-most in the majors.
Yes, Suárez strikes out a lot — his 26.1 K% entering Monday is actually his lowest since 2018 — but his .933 OPS and 153 wRC+ would make for a powerful 1-2 punch alongside Judge in the middle of the Yankees’ order.
The pinstripers have also needed a right-handed bat since spring training. Suárez checks that box as well.
SUBPAR DEFENSE
A talented hitter, Suárez lacks in the field.
His 11 errors were tied for the second-most among third basemen entering Monday, and he was second-to-last with -5 Outs Above Average.
Suárez was also second-worst at the hot corner in Fielding Run Value (-4) and third-worst in Defensive Runs Saved (-5).
The Yankees will live with Suárez’s defensive shortcomings if they get him, as he possesses an impact bat and could be replaced by Peraza late in close games. However, offense hasn’t been the team’s biggest problem, and far more talented defenders like Ke’Bryan Hayes, who has admirers within the Yankees org, and Ryan McMahon are alternative options. They’re poor hitters and are owed significant money beyond this season, though.
A PRICEY RENTAL
Unlike those other third basemen, Suárez is an impending free agent. The 34-year-old is making $15 million this season.
While there are no financial strings attached to Suárez beyond 2025, there’s going to be competition for him if he hits the trade block. With no comparable bat expected to be acquirable, the bidding could get pricey with multiple contenders in need of third base help.
How much would and should the Yankees be willing to part with for a rental?
Names like Cam Schlittler, set to make his second MLB start on Tuesday, and Spencer Jones, obliterating Triple-A pitching lately, are already part of the rumor mill, but trading either would be a significant price to pay for a player who may only spend two months in pinstripes.
Keep in mind that the Diamondbacks will want other players in the deal, and that the Yankees could also use multiple relievers and rotation help before the deadline.
None of this is to say Suárez isn’t a fit for the Yankees, but they will have to give to get a player of his caliber.
