MLB Trade Deadline: The ultimate 30-team trade
11. New York Yankees
Sonny Gray isn’t the only member of the A’s that appears destined to be traded. Yonder Alonso, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, is also highly likely to play for another club during the final two months of the season.
The problem with Alonso is the small market for first basemen. Tied at the bottom of the leaderboard with -1.2 fWAR at the position, the Yankees and Angels are the only two contenders in desperate need of an upgrade at first base, and both have multiple options available to them on the roster. C.J. Cron and Luis Valbuena have shared the duties in Anaheim, and third basemen Todd Frazier and Chase Headley are capable of playing first until Greg Bird returns from the DL in September.
Nevertheless, New York first basemen have hit just .182/.270/.358 with just 12 home runs and 37 RBI this season, while also striking out 35 percent of the time. Acquiring Alonso, who has hit .267/.367/.540 with 21 home runs and 45 RBI by himself in 88 games, while striking out 23.9 percent of the time, would be an upgrade across the board.
The 30-year-old Alonso was selected to the All-Star Game for the first time in his eight-year major league career thanks in large part to a revamped power swing that has helped him lift the ball. The left-handed hitter would likely continue to thrive at Yankee Stadium, making a trade a no-brainer for the Yankees. However, it’s currently a buyer’s market, and reportedly the A’s haven’t liked the names New York has floated in trade talks.
Of course, that doesn’t mean a deal won’t get done. Expect one current Yankee and a mid-level prospect to turn in his pinstripes for white cleats.