Yankees Trade Rumors: Yonder Alonso Talks with Athletics Reported

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Tuesday that the New York Yankees are engaged in trade talks with the Oakland Athletics regarding All-Star first baseman Yonder Alonso.

This news comes on the heels of a report Monday by Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal that said Oakland's top scout was recently watching the Yankees' Class A Charleston RiverDogs.

The 30-year-old Alonso is having a career 2017 season, as he is hitting .268 with 21 home runs and 44 RBI.

He is set to hit free agency during the offseason, however, making him an ideal trade chip for an A's team in the midst of a rebuild.

The Yankees have struggled mightily to get consistent offensive production out of first base throughout the 2017 campaign.

Greg Bird was expected to be the answer, but he has missed most of the season because of injury and needs ankle surgery, per Mike Mazzeo of the New York Daily News.

Chris Carter struggled before getting released, and New York is currently going with the platoon of Ji-Man Choi and Garrett Cooper, whom it recently acquired in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Per ESPN.com, the Yanks rank 30th in batting average (.208), 24th in home runs (14) and 30th in RBI (40) from the first-base position this season.

While Cooper is heating up and coming off a 3-for-4 night against the Minnesota Twins on Monday, Alonso would provide another middle-of-the-order presence in an already-dangerous lineup.

New York has been in a slump since June 1, going 17-24, but it trails the Boston Red Sox by just 3.5 games in the AL East and holds the second wild-card spot in the American League.