Brewers in Position to Outbid Yankees for Power Bat at Trade Deadline
The Milwaukee Brewers might be poised to outmaneuver the New York Yankees and secure one of the most coveted trade targets: Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez.
Yankees Need a Third Baseman, But Brewers Have the Edge
The Yankees are in desperate need of a third baseman, especially after releasing DJ LeMahieu and shifting Jazz Chisholm Jr. to second base. However, their current options—Oswald Peraza, Jorbit Vivas, and J.C. Escarra—are underwhelming, and none of them pose a serious threat to opposing pitchers. Despite this, the Brewers could have more flexibility and motivation to outbid the Yankees.
FanSided’s Zachary Rotman summed it up: “The team could use an upgrade at third base.” And the stats support that need. Brewers’ third basemen rank 25th in MLB with a 71 wRC+ and are tied for 23rd in fWAR (0.2), putting them in playoff liability territory.
Durbin’s Hot Streak, but Suárez Brings Power
Caleb Durbin has stepped up, hitting .261/.347/.365, and has been particularly hot since June. However, can a utility player like the 5-foot-6 Durbin be the reliable option Milwaukee wants heading into October? For a team aiming for the NL Central title and a postseason run, depending on an overperforming utility player could be risky.
Enter Suárez. The 31-year-old is having an All-Star-caliber season, slashing .246/.313/.550 with 29 home runs and 75 RBIs. He’s a proven power hitter and solid defender, and his addition would immediately strengthen a Milwaukee lineup that ranks just 21st in MLB for home runs.
Suárez Perfectly Fits the Brewers’ Deadline Strategy
Acquiring Suárez makes sense for Milwaukee on several fronts. First, he’s a rental—his $15 million club option means he’s a short-term commitment, which aligns with the Brewers’ typical trade approach: aggressive but cautious. Second, the Brewers have an abundance of young pitching and mid-tier prospects that would likely appeal more to a rebuilding Arizona team than the Yankees’ lower-tier prospects.
If Milwaukee offers one of its near-ready arms—like Carlos Rodríguez, Jacob Misiorowski, or Robert Gasser—it’s hard to imagine Arizona passing on that in favor of the Yankees’ less enticing package.
Brewers Have the Motivation to Act
While the Yankees are perennial buyers, their approach is usually more calculated. In contrast, the Brewers have shown they’re not afraid to strike early and aggressively, as evidenced by their surprise signings of Rhys Hoskins and Josh Donaldson in previous windows. With Hoskins sidelined and Joey Ortiz struggling, Suárez is the immediate solution Milwaukee needs.
Depth Is a Welcome Challenge
The only potential issue for the Brewers would be managing playing time once Hoskins returns, but that’s a luxury many teams wish they had. Ortiz could transition to a utility role, Suárez could DH when needed, and Christian Yelich might spend more time in left field to make room for more potent bats. This kind of lineup “crunch” is exactly the kind of problem contenders want.
Brewers Should Be the First to Act
The All-Star Game showcased the league’s best, but it also highlighted which teams are still missing key pieces for October. Right now, the Brewers are one Eugenio Suárez away from becoming one of the most dangerous lineups in the National League.
If the Yankees hesitate, Milwaukee should make its move. With the division and postseason races heating up, the Brewers have the need, the assets, and the urgency to win this bidding war.
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