One of the biggest holes in the New York Yankees’ team is at third base. Veteran DJ LeMahieu has been DFA’d, while others like Jazz Chisholm Jr. or Oswald Peraza have been inconsistent on defense and offense. As a result, the Yankees are set to almost certainly trade for a third baseman this trade deadline. However, one of the biggest targets out there could be a massive mistake.
The Yankees Need to Shop For a Third Baseman
The Yankees’ Offense Needs More Power and Average- Not Less
The New York Yankees rank first in homers and sixth in average. This suggests that offensively, the Yankees don’t need much. However, these numbers are essentially due to an amazing offensive start from players like Aaron Judge and Paul Goldschmidt. Since many players have struggled offensively, notably Ben Rice and Austin Wells, whose averages have both declined significantly.
In June, Goldschmidt hit .147, Rice hit .181, and Anthony Volpe hit .205. Together, the total amount of home runs for these players was just 8. Offensively, the infield doesn’t have much offensive prowess. Cody Bellinger has been a revelation, and of course, so has Judge. However, the offense cannot solely rely on a few players. In June, the Yankees’ record was 13-14. The Yankees started July 0-5 as well, showing that the Yankees have a lot of flaws offensively.
The Yankees Should Avoid Pirates Infielder Completely
Among the top trade targets usually mentioned for third base is Pittsburgh Pirates Ke’Bryan Hayes. Hayes is an excellent defender with excellent speed. Hayes was even dubbed a future star after his electric debut in 2020; however, he has since failed to live up to the hype.
First, Hayes has consistently missed a lot of time due to injury. Secondly, Hayes’s offensive game has never been the same. His best season came in 2023, when Hayes hit 15 homers with a .271 average. In 2024, Hayes struggled offensively as he hit just four homers with a .233 average. Things haven’t really changed for Hayes in 2025, as he again has just two home runs with a .240 average.
Hayes is an elite defender, but his offensive shortcomings and injury history make him a poor fit as an everyday starter on a team with championship ambitions. Offensively, the Yankees need more power than just 4 home runs and an overall bad contact hitter. Instead, other targets like Eugenio Suarez or Ryan McMahon would make much more sense. And, Hayes is 28 years old, so he isn’t the young “potential” star he used to be.
Other Trade Targets Would Make Much More Sense
Other trade targets would be much more effective and World Series like for New York. Some of these targets have a reasonably case to be acquired by New York:
Eugenio Suarez: Suarez has been excellent this season with 28 homers and 74 RBIs. Suarez is a free agent next season, making such an acquisition clearly for a World Series run. However, after making the World Series last season, the Yankees shouldn’t be afraid to go big. The Yankees have many prospects and young players who could intrigue the Arizona Diamondbacks. Sure, Suarez wouldn’t be easy to acquire, but he would make more sense than a utility man.
Ryan McMahon: McMahon has been a player who isn’t popular with a lot of analysts. However, McMahon is a great defender with some power as well. McMahon has a .210 average, but his power remains with 12 home runs. This would be McMahon’s seventh straight season (covid-year would’ve been easily) with 20 home runs. This consistent power would definitely be desirable.
Nolan Arenado: Arenado is no longer what he used to be. However, he is still an amazing defender with a pretty good average of .244 and 10 home runs through 81 games. Arenado wouldn’t be a blockbuster get. However, his veteran capabilities would be valuable in a playoff run.
The Yankees know third base needs to be addressed. However, the one thing that the Yanks can’t do is settle for an awful bat. Ke’Bryan Hayes would be an extremely bad get for a World Series hopeful team. The Yankees need more power, average, and overall offense. Hayes doesn’t fit that bill.
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