The New York Yankees are actively surveying the third base trade market as the July 31, 2025 MLB trade deadline draws near. While big names like Arizona’s Eugenio Suarez and Pittsburgh’s Ke’Bryan Hayes continue to dominate the rumor mill, the Yankees front office remains cautious.
Colorado’s Ryan McMahon has also surfaced as a potential fit, but the asking price on all three players is steep. These are high-value veterans with premium contracts and major demand, and acquiring any of them would likely require New York to part with prized prospects.
General manager Brian Cashman has made it clear he doesn’t intend to sacrifice the core of the Yankees’ strong farm system, particularly top talents like outfielder Spencer Jones and phenom Jasson Dominguez. As such, the Yankees are pursuing a more balanced approach.
Third base is the Yankees’ biggest deadline need. Yet if a deal for Suarez falls through, they will have to look options around. Reports indicates the Yankees may even prefer these less expensive, more versatile alternatives.
Defensive limitations with top targets are also part of the Yankees’ hesitancy. Suarez, now 34, has seen a dip in defensive range, and McMahon’s offensive numbers are often inflated by the Coors Field effect. All signs point to New York eyeing more cost-effective upgrades that won’t force them to trade blue-chip assets. That approach has turned the spotlight on three players who are not commanding the same headlines but are producing both offensively and defensively for their teams: Yoan Moncada, Willi Castro, and Otto Lopez.
Yoan Moncada: Former top prospect finding his swing again
Moncada, once MLB’s No. 1 overall prospect, is having a late-career resurgence with the Angels. After struggling for years with injuries and inconsistency in Chicago, the 30-year-old switch-hitter has posted a .244 average, .513 slugging percentage, and 8 home runs with 22 RBIs in just 37 games for Los Angeles this season. That equates to a 135 wRC+, showing Moncada is producing at a level 35% above league average. These numbers represent his most effective offensive performance since his breakout 2019 campaign.
His switch-hitting power and improved discipline at the plate would offer a significant upgrade to a Yankees third base platoon that has underperformed. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic recently called Moncada a strong fit for the Yankees.
“Moncada is having his best season since his breakout year with the Chicago White Sox in 2019. He has a 135 wRC+ in 37 games for the Angels, and it’s not a fluke. He’s posting his best contact-quality metrics since 2019,” Kirschner noted.
Defensively, however, Moncada is a known liability. He’s posted negative Defensive Runs Saved at third this season. Kirschner was candid: “Moncada is a poor defender at third base, but he would offer considerably better offense than Oswald Peraza.” For a Yankees team in need of run production, that trade-off could be acceptable.
Moncada’s expiring $5 million contract makes him a practical rental. The Angels, currently out of contention in the AL West, are expected to sell. Moncada could be available for a mid-level prospect, allowing the Yankees to address their need without touching top-tier farm pieces. A realistic trade might involve a Double-A arm and a depth infielder.
Willi Castro: Versatile spark plug could plug Yankees’ gaps
Willi Castro’s name hasn’t dominated trade chatter, but the 28-year-old utilityman has become a critical piece for Minnesota. A switch-hitter with positional versatility, Castro has logged time at third base, shortstop, second, and all three outfield spots. His 2025 stat line is solid: a .258 average, 10 home runs, 27 RBIs, 8 stolen bases, and a .785 OPS through 78 games.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli praised his reliability, saying, “Why not just go to the guy that does everything else and just put him out there?” Castro even earned an All-Star selection in 2024 for his defensive versatility and durability, playing 117 of the team’s first 118 games.
Offensively, Castro doesn’t bring major power but supplies consistent contact and speed. For the Yankees, who are heavily right-handed and lack lineup flexibility, Castro’s switch-hitting and ability to fill multiple defensive roles could be invaluable. He could serve as the everyday third baseman or as a utility option off the bench. Royce Lewis even called Castro “the MVP of this team this year,” highlighting his impact beyond the box score.
Minnesota, under .500 and looking to sell, may deal Castro ahead of his upcoming free agency. He’s earning just $3.5 million, and his expiring deal means he could be moved for a modest return. A secondary pitching prospect or infield depth piece could get it done. New York’s known reluctance to include names like Jones or Domínguez would not be a problem here. Castro checks several boxes and fits into the Yankees’ vision of low-cost, high-impact acquisitions.
YES Network’s Jack Curry suggested that options like Castro and McMahon are gaining traction in the front office due to their affordability and fit. Castro’s blend of defense, contact, and athleticism would make him a seamless fit in the Bronx without breaking the bank.
Otto Lopez: Glove-first rising star with room to grow
Otto Lopez might be the least heralded of these three options, but he may offer the best long-term value. The 26-year-old infielder is in his first full MLB season with Miami and has turned heads with elite glove work and developing offensive potential. He’s mostly played second base in 2025 but has seen time across the infield, including third base. His defense has drawn high praise, with some analysts calling him “the best defensive second baseman in baseball.”
In 2024, Lopez hit .291 in August and .344 in September, finishing the year with 2-3 WAR. This season, he’s batting .248 with 11 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases. That’s surprising pop for a player known primarily for speed and contact. He’s also reduced his strikeout rate and proven effective at reaching base with infield hits.
Lopez is under team control through 2028 and represents a long-term solution, not just a rental. He’s right-handed and may not be ideal for Yankee Stadium’s right field porch, but his contact-heavy game could complement the team’s power bats. His versatility and steady glove could immediately improve the infield defense, which would be especially helpful given New York’s ground-ball leaning pitching staff.
The Marlins, sinking in the NL East standings, are expected to shop much of their roster. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, “more or less everyone else on the Marlins’ roster is up for grabs.” That includes Lopez, who may not be a marquee name but is quietly productive.
While Lopez would require a larger return than Moncada or Castro, it still wouldn’t approach the price for Suarez or Hayes. Miami might ask for a package centered around Will Warren or Clayton Beeter, paired with a younger bat. Even then, the Yankees could protect their top two or three prospects. With a clear Yankees-Marlins trade history and possible front office familiarity, Lopez remains a realistic and strategic target.
Balancing upgrades with prospect preservation
The Yankees are walking a fine line. They want to upgrade at third base, but not at the cost of their future. The failure to maximize Aaron Judge’s prime years looms large, and the organization is determined not to waste another elite campaign by standing pat. However, past trade missteps have made them wary of sacrificing elite youth for a short-term gain.
Options like Moncada, Castro, and Lopez allow the Yankees to strengthen the roster without dismantling the farm. Cashman can deal from a surplus of mid-tier arms and fringe MLB talent while preserving top-end names like Jones, Dominguez, Roderick Arias, and Cam Schlittler. Each of the three trade candidates discussed brings value: Moncada offers a power bat, Castro adds versatility and speed, and Lopez provides defense and long-term control.
The Yankees must act. But how they act will define whether this team simply patches a hole or takes a meaningful step toward contending in October. If they succeed in securing one of these upgrades without mortgaging the future, they could not only fix a glaring weakness at third base but set themselves up for sustained success. This is the kind of trade deadline that can shape a season—and the smart path may not be the biggest name, but the right one at the right price.
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