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MLB Trade Deadline: 15 trades that need to happen

By Joshua Sadlock

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 30: Sonny Gray #54 of the Oakland Athletics (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 30: Sonny Gray #54 of the Oakland Athletics (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – JULY 16: Yonder Alonso #17 of the Oakland Athletics bats against the Cleveland Indians in the bottom of the first inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on July 16, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JULY 16: Yonder Alonso #17 of the Oakland Athletics bats against the Cleveland Indians in the bottom of the first inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on July 16, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

4. Yonder Alonso to the Yankees

New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird can say whatever he wants about his ankle surgery not ending his 2017 season, but that doesn’t show much grasp of reality. Even before the injury, Bird was having an ugly campaign at the plate and had been sent to Triple-A to work on his swing. The Yankees tried with Chris Carter, which proved to be a bust, and are now giving starts to Ji-Man Choi at first base as they attempt to break out of a losing skid that stretches back to the middle of June.

Yonder Alonso of the Athletics stands out as the best potential rental upgrade for the Yankees at first base. He is having the best season of his career, found a power stroke and made his first trip to the All-Star Game. While his batting average has taken a hit in June and July, Alonso has continued to keep his power numbers up. His OPS has not dipped below .900 since the first week of April.

The Yankees sold off at the deadline last year for the first time in decades, but do not have any chips to move this year unless they decide to shop a resurgent CC Sabathia in the final year of his contract. Brian Cashman was smart to make the moves he did last year, and the Yankees farm system is more loaded than it has been since Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada were coming up.

Having seen the return the A’s settled for in dealing away solid relievers Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson, the Yankees should have no problem acquiring Alonso if they desire. He gives them an answer at first base for the rest of the year before they can focus on signing Eric Hosmer. Going for broke with this roster does not make much sense for the Yankees, but making one small move in the hopes of capturing a wild card does.

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