When baseball starts feeling like a high-stakes chess match played on a burning board, you know something’s about to give. As the New York Yankees spiral into an identity crisis and the Arizona Diamondbacks tread water with a patched-up raft, all eyes turn to GM Mike Hazen—the man holding both the matchstick and the fire extinguisher. ESPN’s spotlight is hot, and Hazen’s next move might just scorch the AL East.
From building a World Series team in 2023 to developing elite talent like Corbin Carroll, Hazen has taken the Arizona Diamondbacks to the next level. With the trade deadline inching closer, teams like the New York Yankees will be looking to make a move, and they do have a target. So, Hazen will have to use his 4D chess-playing brain and make decisions.
In a recent article by ESPN, it talked about who some of the top executives are under pressure, and Hazen was at the top. They wrote, “Hazen will have a lot of say about what happens at this year’s trade deadline… Eugenio Suarez (Yankees would be in on him)… other GMs like to trade with Hazen because they find him communicative and decisive.”
The Yankees need more than hope to fix third base—they need power, durability, and experience. Eugenio Suarez, though struggling this season, still offers a reliable glove and veteran presence. His 2023 numbers with Seattle—22 homers, 96 RBIs—show he’s not far removed from impact. With DJ LeMahieu’s decline and injuries mounting, New York may see Suarez as the short-term solution.
Arizona, meanwhile, isn’t shy about making bold moves when October feels out of reach. Suarez, owed $11 million this year, becomes expendable as the Diamondbacks retool for 2026. Younger options like Blaze Alexander are knocking, and Hazen rarely clings to sunk costs. Trading Suarez clears payroll and opens room for development without sacrificing core talent.
For the Yankees, it’s about fixing a leak before the ship sinks. Suarez may not be flashy, but his 30+ homer seasons in Cincinnati weren’t that long ago. He brings postseason experience and clubhouse toughness—two things New York desperately needs right now. If the price is right, it’s a deal that could stabilize both infield and morale.
Hazen has the pieces, the leverage, and a league full of anxious GMs on hold. The Yankees? They’re running out of duct tape and divine interventions at third base. If Suarez ends up in pinstripes, it won’t be a blockbuster—it’ll be a lifeline. And when the dust settles, don’t be surprised if Hazen’s quiet deal speaks the loudest. After all, even chess masters know when to sacrifice a knight.
Yankees’ list of players to fill the hole at third base
It turns out the Yankees aren’t putting all their pinstripes on one third baseman. While whispers of Suarez have lit up trade rumors like a Bronx scoreboard in July, he’s hardly the only name on Brian Cashman’s not-so-secret wishlist. The hot corners become a cold case in the Bronx, and the New York Yankees’ front office is flipping through suspects faster than Judge racks up walks.
The Yankees’ third base situation has been more patchwork than power spot this season. LeMahieu, once a contact king, owns a dismal 52 wRC+ and looks nothing like his All-Star self. Oswaldo Cabrera struggled before his injury, and he hasn’t shown much with a career 73 wRC+. Jorbit Vivas might be scrappy, but this lineup needs reliability, not just warm bodies.
Outside of Suarez, the Yankees could look at Amed Rosario, who’s batting .274 with a 102 wRC+ and brings solid versatility. Otto Lopez of the Marlins is another under-the-radar name, slashing .266/.307/.369 with speed and youth on his side. Then there’s Lenyn Sosa, who, despite inconsistency, has hit .282 with 5 HR in Triple-A. None are flashy, but even average production would be a major upgrade at third.
With the Yankees contending, they need more than stopgaps—they need production and playoff composure. Adding a right-handed bat at third isn’t just a preference—it’s a postseason necessity.
The Yankees aren’t just chasing wins—they’re chasing reliability at the one spot that won’t stop leaking. They’ve tried patchwork; now they need power tools. If Cashman’s shopping list turns into action, the Bronx might finally freeze that hot corner. Because in October, mismatched infield rotations don’t just cost games—they write postseason obituaries. And the Yankees didn’t build a juggernaut just to be undone by DJ and the backups.
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