TEAM-NEWS: Yankees Eye Major Infield Upgrade As They Could Trade for $25 Million All-Star Third Baseman: Is Eugenio Suárez the Answer to Their Infield Crisis?

The New York Yankees are beginning to feel the urgency to acquire an infielder, particularly at second or third base, as the season approaches. While all options remain on the table, the need for a move is becoming critical. Though the possibility of landing Alex Bregman isn’t entirely off the table, the Yankees should shift their focus to the trade market for a potential All-Star third baseman.

Eugenio Suárez could be the answer. In his first season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Suárez posted a .256 average with 30 home runs and 101 RBIs. It marked the fourth consecutive season with at least 20 home runs and 75 RBIs across three teams. Additionally, Suárez’s defense remained strong, ranking in the 82nd percentile for range and outs above average, as per Baseball Savant. Even at 33 years old, he continues to perform consistently at third base.

A potential trade could involve the Yankees acquiring Suárez for relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. and pitching prospect Clayton Beeter, the Yankees’ No. 19 prospect in 2024. This deal would bring Suárez into the Yankees’ infield as the everyday third baseman, allowing Jazz Chisholm Jr. and D.J. LeMahieu to split time at second base. Defensively, Suárez would be a major asset. He is set to earn $15 million in 2025 through a club option, but the Yankees would likely look to negotiate an extension with him on a short-term basis.

For the Diamondbacks, they would receive Leiter, who posted a 4.50 ERA between the Yankees and Cubs in 2024. Despite a down year, Leiter is expected to bounce back in 2025 and would add depth to the back end of the Diamondbacks’ bullpen. Beeter, who spent most of 2024 with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, posted a solid 2.25 ERA over 10 games, including seven starts, offering potential rotation depth for Arizona.