Earlier this season, the New York Yankees made a bold call as they relocated Jazz Chisholm Jr. from second base to third. That strategic shuffle came about due to an injury to the original third baseman, Oswaldo Cabrera, who sustained a season-ending ankle fracture. However, it also coincided with the clear offensive inconsistencies of Oswald Peraza and DJ LeMahieu (.664 OPS). That conundrum prompted the team to shift Chisholm out of position to ensure LeMahieu could remain at second base.

The changes made to the infield have had some troubling results. Chisholm has been a dynamic player, but his defense at third base has been shaky. He has posted an alarming .920 fielding percentage over just 29 games. That sharply contrasts with how reliable his glove was while he was playing second base.

The Yankees shortstop, Anthony Volpe, is struggling as well, as his own defensive numbers have dropped from his Gold Glove-caliber 2024 season. So, the infield is leaking runs, putting immense pressure on an already taxed pitching staff. But, a solution might be brewing, according to a prominent MLB insider.

As per Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY, the Yankees have their eyes on Eugenio Suarez to cover the third base. And if the Yankees truly want the 33-year-old, they will have to fight the Mariners, who are also aiming for the slugger. Digging more deep in how crucial Suarez can be for the Bombers, Ryan Garcia of Fireside Yankees also chimed in.

“I mean, I could not think of a better fit for the NY Yankees. I know that people are gonna say, ‘Oh, he strikes out so much. Oh, he is a right-handed old hitter.’ I don’t care…,” Garcia said. “If you pair him with Aaron Judge, you think of a lineup we have, lets say Ben Rice leading off Judge hitting second, Cody Bellinger hitting third, Eugenio Suarez hitting fourth, Jazz Chisholm hitting fifth. I’m sorry, that’s one of the best offenses in baseball… That team would be just unstoppable offensively.”

This potential move instantly addresses the Yankees’ primary infield issue, as it allows Chisholm to slide back to his natural and more effective position. The defensive alignment would suddenly look much stronger on paper. So, what would Eugenio Suárez, an MLB All-Star reserve for this year, bring to the Bronx?

Well, Suarez is the Arizona Diamondbacks’ third baseman and is having a breakout season at the plate this year. In 87 games this season, the 33-year-old power hitter is putting up numbers of.255 avg with 28 home runs and 73 RBIs. Also, his.891 OPS and 141 wRC+ put him in the company of the best in the league. This year, he has been 41% more productive than any average hitter.

More importantly, Suárez is a complete rental player. He is currently in the last year of his deal. Arizona has a $15 million club option for 2025, which would make him a free agent this winter. Any team that picks him up would only have to pay out the remainder of his salary. So, the Yankees will be able to land him without giving up their top prospects, which sounds like a low-risk solution for the team.

However, every trade carries its own set of questions. Is this too good to be true?

The hidden gamble: Offense vs. defense

While Suárez’s bat has been electric, his glove tells a different story. In 2025, he has registered a -5 Outs Above Average, which places him in the bottom 17th percentile of all fielders. He has also put up a league-leading 11 errors at the position. Acquiring him to fix a defensive issue is a great paradox. The Yankees would be putting their money on his powerful bat to outweigh the defensive runs he gives away.

So, what are the alternatives if the Yankees get cold feet? At present, they are short on options for immediate help. Top prospects like George Lombard Jr might still be some time away from the majors. Out in the market, however, there are certain options.

The Yankees can consider Colorado’s Ryan McMahon, who is a better defender and has good power too, but he is tied up in a long-term deal, which means they would have to hand over a lot of their best players. The Bombers can go after Pittsburgh’s Ke’Bryan Hayes as well. He is an outstanding defensive player, but his hitting has been poor, which makes it a roll of the dice again.

As far as Suarez’s situation is concerned, all depends on what the Arizona Diamondbacks decide. Would they trade an All-Star caliber player amidst a playoff push? The answer lies in their current form. The D-backs have just lost their ace pitcher, Corbin Burnes, for the season. That reduces their championship chances.

General Manager Mike Hazen may say they intend to buy. But the smart move is to sell high on a 33-year-old rental like Suárez. This would put them in a position to stock up on young talent for 2026 and beyond.