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Fox Sports
6 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
3 Best Trade Destinations for Arizona Diamondbacks Slugger Eugenio Suarez
Eugenio Suarez isn't just hitting at a high level this season: he's obliterating baseballs. Which is why he's on two shortlists right now – MVP candidates and tradeable players. The Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star third baseman ranks in the 90th percentile of MLB in barrel percentage and 89th percentile in hard-hit percentage. That's given him a National League-high with both 36 home runs and 86 RBIs, while boasting a .598 slugging percentage. A steady presence at the hot corner, he's performed on playoff teams and can be a needle-mover for a contender. Granted, part of the calculation in trading for Suarez is that he's a free agent after this season. Which teams could then use a potentially high-usage rental player? Here are three potential destinations: 3. New York Yankees The Yankees are solidified at eight of the nine spots in their everyday order. Third base is the one spot where a definitive upgrade could make a difference, and that could lead to New York making a move for Suarez. Jazz Chisholm played third base last year, but the Yankees have been a revolving door at the position this year, partially due to injury (e.g. Oswaldo Cabrera). Suarez represents a clear-cut answer for the Yankees at the hot corner for the rest of the year and gives them somebody with overwhelming power to hit around Aaron Judge, who's likely going to win his third American League MVP Award in four years. While New York entered Wednesday's MLB action first in on-base percentage (.334), slugging percentage (.454) and home runs (160), having Judge, who has been hitting at a level unseen since peak Barry Bonds over the last four years, plays a role in it being top of the sport in several power categories. Suarez gives them another bat that does major damage and subsequently gives them a better chance to run down the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East. The Yankees could offer a trade package to the Diamondbacks centered around infielder Oswald Peraza and right-hander Chase Hampton, among other prospects, for Suarez. So, why is a team that represented the AL in the 2024 World Series and has a need at third base not the No. 1 fit for Suarez? The answer is a question: how many times are the Yankees going to make a blockbuster trade for an impact player, let alone one that's a free agent at the end of the year after the quantity of pitchers it traded for Juan Soto (namely, Michael King and Randy Vasquez), in particular, blew up in their face? Plus, how much would acquiring Suarez close the gap between the Yankees and the Detroit Tigers or Houston Astros in the AL? It's unrealistic to expect the Yankees to get back to the World Series in the wake of their starting rotation being ravaged by injuries (Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt). 2. Milwaukee Brewers Milwaukee is on a roll and tied with the Chicago Cubs for first place in the National League Central at 60-41. A weakness? The Brewers entered Wednesday 24th in MLB in home runs (96), and that's the No. 1 area that Suarez would improve for their ballclub. While Caleb Durbin has held his own at third base this season, the rookie infielder can also play second base and come off the bench throughout the rest of the season. Suarez would be an upgrade for the Brewers at third base, while becoming the most intimidating hitter in their order. Moreover, Suarez would be a veteran offensive complement to a young positional core that's headlined by Jackson Chourio, William Contreras, Sal Frelick and Joey Ortiz. This is a franchise that prides itself on great pitching and great defense, but it has continually failed to win the NL pennant in recent memory due to its offense not having enough firepower. Suarez doesn't match the Brewers' offense up with the Los Angeles Dodgers or division-rival Cubs, but he certainly gives them a boost. If you're going to consistently be a 90-plus-win team and not spend big money, why not make impact moves with the intention of making a championship push? The 2015 Kansas City Royals are the perfect example of embracing this philosophy, as they had a small window with a deep core, acquired a pair of All-Stars in ace Johnny Cueto and infielder Ben Zobrist and went on to win the World Series that year. Even though Kansas City lost both players to free agency in the ensuing offseason, winning the title made it all worth it. Milwaukee could center a Suarez trade package around one of infielders Mike Boeve and Luke Adams and 2024 second-rounder Bryce Meccage. The only factor that could stop the Brewers from pursuing a trade for Suarez, though, is them potentially feeling that if they're going to step out of their comfort zone and make a trade for an impact bat (the last time the Brewers traded for an All-Star-caliber hitter was Willy Adames in 2021), it should be for a player who's under contract for the foreseeable future. 1. Seattle Mariners Seattle traded Suarez to Arizona in the 2023-24 MLB offseason, and it would greatly benefit from his return. Since making the playoffs in 2022 and even dating back to the 2021 season, the Mariners have been competitive enough to be in the wild-card mix until the cows come home, but rarely is it enough for them to actually crack the October spectacle, let alone win the AL West. The No. 1 reason for their shortcomings is consistently a lack of offense. This season, Seattle's lineup has been respectable, but it needs more to contend. Suarez would take over at third base for Seattle, where he started for the Mariners from 2022-23. Furthermore, he'd give the heart of the Mariners' order a second hitter who does considerable damage, taking pressure off Cal Raleigh to play hero. Rookie Ben Williamson has been respectable at third base, but the Mariners can't expect to get to the playoffs and then make noise relying on internal growth. They need to make a splash and get proven, impact hitters like Suarez. And if Julio Rodriguez gets hot late in the season or, say, J.P. Crawford or Dylan Moore starts to slug with more frequency, then Seattle has an even more balanced offense and arguably its best attack since 2022. Of course, this would complement a rotation that's arguably the best in the AL, one that includes Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert, Bryan Woo and more. Seattle could base a trade offer for Suarez around a combination of its young pitchers, including two or more of Brandyn Garcia, Michael Morales, Teddy McGraw and Ahston Izzi. The Mariners are 54-47, a current wild-card team and five games behind the Astros for first place in the AL West. If now isn't the time to make a push, then when is? Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience Major League Baseball Arizona Diamondbacks Eugenio Suárez recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB Makes Historic Aaron Judge, Rafael Devers Announcement During Yankees-Red Sox
MLB Makes Historic Aaron Judge, Rafael Devers Announcement During Yankees-Red Sox originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New York Yankees rivalry with the Boston Red Sox runs as deep as any in the history of sports. A rivalry rooted in over 100 years of tension, stemming from the sale of one of the greatest baseball players to ever live, Babe Ruth. Advertisement The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry has seen a plethora of Hall of Famers square off in some of the most heated battles in the history of Major League Baseball. And the latest iteration of this fierce matchup came and went this weekend, culminating in a Sunday Night Baseball showdown on ESPN. While the Red Sox were in town to take on the Yankees, most baseball fans filled Yankee Stadium to see one man, hit baseballs really far. That man is the reigning American League MVP, Aaron Judge. While the Yankees would lose this three-game series to the Red Sox, two games to one, Judge did not disappoint. In fact, both team's offenses came to play, as they combined to score 50 total runs during the series. On Sunday night, however, Judge, and Red Sox designated hitter, Rafael Devers, launched themselves into identical places in the history books of Yankees-Red Sox. Advertisement Judge hit two home runs during Sunday's 11-7 loss to the Red Sox, a two-run home run in the first inning and a solo home run during the ninth inning. Devers hit a solo shot as well during the ninth inning. Both ninth inning blasts were No. 30 for Judge and Devers against the opposing team. This made each man the second fastest players to reach this mark in the history of Yankees-Red Sox. MLB was quick to make the historic announcement. Judge reached this feat in 107 games, only exceeded by Ruth who did it in 95 games. Devers accomplished the same history in 113 games, only bested by Manny Ramirez who did it in 102 games. New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) reacts after hitting a two-run home run against the Boston red Sox during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images Judge's two home runs (22 and 23) put him in second place in MLB, behind only Seattle Mariners catcher, Cal Raleigh (26). Devers' home run was No. 14 on the season, but he finds himself just ahead of Judge in RBIs this season at 57 as compared to Judge's 55. Advertisement Baseball fans won't have to wait long for the next chapter of Yankees-Red Sox. Their next series is scheduled to start on Friday, June 13. This is another three-game series being hosted by the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Related: MLB Makes Historical Home Run Announcement During Yankees-Orioles Related: MLB Reveals Surprise Favorite to Win 2025 American League MVP Award This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dodgers star, Nashville native Mookie Betts leaves Japan because of illness
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts, a Nashville John Overton High School graduate, has left Tokyo and will miss his team's two-game series there against the Chicago Cubs because of an undisclosed illness. Betts has lost 15 pounds, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. Betts, an eight-time All-Star, returned to Los Angeles early Monday morning to continue recovering ahead of his team's domestic season opener March 27. 'Mookie flew home early evening, late afternoon yesterday and arrived safely,' Roberts told reporters in Tokyo. 'It just made the most sense for him to get back to a regular routine. That's kind of where we're at and we all support it.' The Dodgers are Cubs are set to begin to the 2025 MLB season at the Tokyo Dome on Tuesday, followed by another game Wednesday. Betts, who won the 2018 American League MVP Award while he was with the Boston Red Sox, made the trip to Japan despite feeling ill before the team left. He quickly tired Sunday during a workout before the decision was made to send him back to Los Angeles. Betts helped Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers win the World Series last year, his third championship overall and second with Los Angeles. Betts also is a six-time Gold Glove winner and seven-time Silver Slugger Award winner. Paul Skrbina is a sports enterprise reporter covering the Predators, Titans, Nashville SC, local colleges and local sports for The Tennessean. Reach him at pskrbina@ and on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) @paulskrbina. Follow his work here. PLAY BALL? What Bill Haslam, Nashville mayor Freddie O'Connell said about MLB coming to Nashville This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dodgers star, Nashville native Mookie Betts leaves Japan with illness
