The New York Yankees are poised to be buyers this year at the MLB trade deadline, one of several teams hoping the Arizona Diamondbacks decide to be sellers in the next few days. While several prominent Diamondbacks players are on New York 's radar, the Yankees may have to pursue a fallback plan for their top target.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the Yankees are among the clubs that inquired with the Diamondbacks about a trade for third baseman Eugenio Suarez . However, less than two weeks out from the MLB trade deadline, Arizona is still "undecided" about moving its All-Star hitter.
Related: New York Yankees In Trade Mix for All-Star Starting Pitcher
Eugenio Suarez stats ( ESPN ): .254/.326/.585, .911 OPS, 33 home runs, 18 doubles in 354 ABs
Suárez is not the only player on the Diamondbacks roster being eyed by the Yankees front office. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported on Sunday that New York sent scouts to watch Arizona's starting pitchers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly . If the Diamondbacks do not move Suárez, Nightengale notes that the Yankees also "checked in" with the Pittsburgh Pirates on third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes.
If Yankees scouts are in attendance for the Diamondbacks' three-game home series this weekend against the St. Louis Cardinals , their top targets are performing. Suárez hit two home runs on Saturday night and Kelly is on the mound Sunday, with Arizona vying for a three-game sweep.
Related: Eugenio Suarez trade landing spots, including the Yankees
Merrill Kelly stats ( ESPN ):3.34 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 113-33 K-BB ratio in 116 innings pitched
However, a turnaround by Arizona could also take Kelly, Suárez, and Gallen all off the trade market. Arizona entered MLB games today just 4.5 games back of the final wild card spot in the National League. If the organization believes the team is turning things around, New York's options for acquiring starting pitching and a third baseman become more limited.
While Hayes would provide New York with Gold Glove-caliber defense at third base, he ranks among the weakest hitters at his position. In 91 games this season, Hayes has a .237/.284/.293 triple-slash line, recording nearly as many strikeouts (75) as hits (79) in 334 at-bats.
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