MLB Trade Rumors: Yankees discussing 1B Yonder Alonso with Athletics

One of Brian Cashman’s biggest needs at the trade deadline is a first baseman for the Yankees. New York has gotten abysmal production from the position this season, and Greg Bird is expected to miss at least the next six weeks after undergoing surgery if he is able to make it back at all this season.

Cashman did swing a trade for Triple-A first baseman Garrett Cooper by sending lefty reliever Tyler Webb to Milwaukee. Cooper has been with the team since the series in Boston, and has strung together a couple good hits after looking a bit overmatched in his first big league action. However, Cashman may want a more secure option for first base if the Yankees are to make a playoff push.

Yonder Alonso has put together a strong season for the Athletics this year. His career year has featured 21 home runs to this point to go along with a .924 OPS. The best news for the Yankees is that Alonso is a free agent at the end of the season. Cashman has reiterated that Bird remains the first baseman of the team’s future, so they aren’t looking for anything long-term at the position.

One player who doesn’t seem to be in the mix for any potential Alonso trade is outfield prospect Blake Rutherford. The Yankees have gotten interest about Rutherford, but it is unlikely that they’d unload him in any deal for a rental. That includes guys like Lucas Duda of the Mets, who they are also rumored to be connected with.

Prospects like Jorge Mateo and Billy McKinney have done a great job of increasing their trade value over the last few weeks with their performances. Both are fairly blocked at the big league level, and could be most useful as part of a package if the right deal presents itself.

Cashman’s dream might be to swing a trade for Alonso and Sonny Gray from the A’s, but the price tag would be high. Still, it would represent two areas of great need for New York if they hope to make it to the postseason. The Yankees have certainly been busy on the trade rumor front in the last 24 hours, being connected to players like Duda, Addison Reed, Alonso, David Robertson, and Gray. All would fill holes that the Yankees have on their current roster. Hopefully something comes of it.