MLB Trade Deadline 2017: 5 best spots for J.D. Martinez

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 13: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Detroit Tigers runs to first base after hitting a solo homerun during the ninth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 13, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 14: Matt Holliday #17 of the New York Yankees reacts to flying out during the seventh inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 14, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

2. New York Yankees

Attempting to determine how aggressive the Yankees will be at the trade deadline this year is an exercise in futility. In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year, the Bronx Bombers shot out to a 21-9 start and then went on a hot streak to begin the month of June that pushed their record to 38-23. The wheels have begun falling off since, and the Yankees have dropped 15 of 21 games to fall into second place.

This was supposed to be a “rebuilding” year for the Yankees, but they seemed to have struck gold with stopgap measures like Matt Holliday, Brett Gardner, and Aaron Hicks playing way above their heads for the better part of three months. Hicks and Holliday are now both on the DL, while Gardner is batting .241/.295/.367 over his past 20 games.

The Yankees have the elite talent in their farm system to go out and make a run at acquiring J.D. Martinez, but whether or not Brian Cashman and the front office feel compelled to invest heavily in this year’s overachievers remains to be seen. There is also the question of finding a place for him to play. Gardner could be pushed into center field with Jacoby Ellsbury being given a seat on the bench. Perhaps Martinez could learn first base on the fly, as the position has been a black hole for the Yankees all season.

There is no denying the fact that Martinez has a swing that is tailor-made to hit bombs at Yankee Stadium, but the Yankees would have to find a way to jam him into their defense somewhere because Holliday does not have many innings at first base left in his body. It’s a very good — perhaps the best — fit on paper, but will take a leap of faith by the Yankees that it is worth dipping into the farm system to propel the 2017 team into the playoffs.

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