Fansided

MLB trade rumors: One player each team should target

By Joshua Sadlock

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 27: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates catches a ball hit by Wilson Ramos #40 of the Tampa Bay Rays (not pictured) during the sixth inning at PNC Park on June 27, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 27: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates catches a ball hit by Wilson Ramos #40 of the Tampa Bay Rays (not pictured) during the sixth inning at PNC Park on June 27, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, AZ – JUNE 04: Yonder Alonso #17 of the Oakland Athletics hits a single against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning of the MLB game at Oakland Coliseum on June 4, 2017 in Oakland, California. The Nationals defeated the Athletics 11-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, AZ – JUNE 04: Yonder Alonso #17 of the Oakland Athletics hits a single against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning of the MLB game at Oakland Coliseum on June 4, 2017 in Oakland, California. The Nationals defeated the Athletics 11-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

New York Yankees: Yonder Alonso

The Yankees have no choice but to make a move for a first baseman at the deadline. Greg Bird is injured for a second straight year and Chris Carter has shown why the Brewers had such an easy time cutting him loose after he led the NL in home runs. Matt Holliday is too old to play the field on a regular basis. That leaves the trade market as the only viable option for the Yankees.

There are two rental options that immediately come to mind for the Yankees at first base — Yonder Alonso or Matt Adams. The Yanks will not make a push to trade for Eric Hosmer because they can just wait to sign him over the winter. Alonso and Adams are both having career years.

For now, let’s consider Alonso the better trade target because he is more familiar (although not by much) with AL pitching. Both are left-handed, and will enjoy knocking lazy fly balls over the right-field wall at Yankee Stadium. An added bonus to trading for Alonso and possibly re-signing him is the fact that he is the brother-in-law of Manny Machado, who figures to be one of New York’s top targets in free agency after the 2018 season.

Alonso may also be cheaper to rent for the final two months of the season. The Braves seem set on making Adams part of their long-term plan. Why else would you try franchise player Freddie Freeman at third base? The Braves will be willing to trade Adams, but for a much higher price.

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