Eugenio Suarez Trade Would Strengthen Yankees' High Title Hopes Amid MLB Rumors

The New York Yankees are already a World Series favorite in the American League, the fifth-ranked offense in Major League Baseball, with a team batting average of .258 and a captain in Aaron Judge with 35 home runs at the All-Star break.

Despite the explosive offense, there is room for improvement for the Bronx Bombers, including an upgrade at third base. ESPN's Buster Olney reported that the team, along with the Seattle Mariners, is pursuing Arizona's Eugenio Suarez.

That report adds credibility to general manager Brian Cashman telling the media during All-Star Week, "We're going to go to town. We're going to do everything we possibly can to improve ourselves and try to match up."

It is not a surprise that the organization would be interested in upgrading at the third base position or that Suarez would be on their radar.

Oswald Peraza has underperformed this season, with a slash line of .149/.213/.243 and just three home runs and 13 RBI in 64 games. The production has not been there, and while his .977 fielding percentage was better than the league average at third base (.961), the Yankees want to see more offense at that position.

Suarez would provide that. An All-Star and one of the best hitters in the game today, the Diamondbacks standout has delivered at the plate, blasting 31 home runs and driving in 78 RBI while establishing a slash line of .251/.322/.567 and an OPS of .888.

The 12-year big-league veteran would provide stability at third base and add even more offensive firepower to a team that is not lacking for it.

Adding his 31 homers to Judge's 35, and four other hitters with an OPS over .800, and you have a team that can hit with any other in the AL and make their second consecutive appearance in the league championship game.

While the 32-year-old Suarez is not the defender that Peraza is and his 11 errors already this season could prove costly in big spots.

Still, the offensive upside is more than worth it. Considering the teams' lofty expectations after last season's World Series loss to the harder-hitting Los Angeles Dodgers, that should be of greater emphasis and significance for the Yankees front office.

Cashman appears ready to make a splash and acquiring Suarez should at the top of his to-do list.