NL Central Team Could Spoil Yankees Trade Deadline Plans

With Major League Baseball’s trade deadline just over a week away, rumors continue to circulate that the Red Sox are looking to acquire a first baseman and a starting pitcher in an attempt to make it back to the postseason for the first time since 2021.

One team the Red Sox are reportedly interested in doing business with is the Arizona Diamondbacks, who have made starting pitchers Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen available, in addition to first baseman Josh Naylor and third baseman Eugenio Suárez.

While the Red Sox have previously been mentioned as possible suitors for Kelly, Gallen and Naylor, the rival New York Yankees have been connected to Suárez after releasing veteran DJ LeMahieu earlier this month, and moving Jazz Chisholm Jr. to second base.

That being said, the Yankees aren’t alone in their trade interest for Suárez. According to a report from The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma, the Chicago Cubs could also be in the mix to acquire the two-time All-Star slugger.

“Eugenio Suárez might not get traded, but if the Arizona Diamondbacks ultimately make that call, the Cubs should be involved until the last minute,” wrote Mooney and Sharma. “Hoyer and Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen are good friends who previously worked together in Boston’s front office. It’s no secret that the Cubs are looking at Suárez as a potential upgrade at third base.”

While the Boston connection between Hoyer and Hazen adds an interesting wrinkle to these trade discussions, according to Mooney and Sharma, the Diamondbacks, who are eight games back of the NL West leading Los Angeles Dodgers in the standings, aren’t ready to wave the white flag on their season just yet.

“The Diamondbacks, though, have signaled that they are prepared to wait until next week before making their buy-or-sell decision, said Mooney and Sharma. “Arizona coming out of the All-Star break and sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals to get back to .500 is an indication that the Cubs may have to consider Suárez alternatives.”

With the Diamondbacks’ front office still uncertain about their trade deadline plans, the Yankees and Cubs are likely keeping an eye out for other potential third base upgrades in the meantime. But if Suárez does become available next week, the Cubs and Yankees look prepared to make a very aggressive offer.