Yankees depth chart change enters them into a trade deadline rumble with the NY Mets

New York Mets fans had a chance to familiarize themselves with all that’s going wrong with the New York Yankees of late, taking two of three from the Big Apple rivals over the weekend. The Yankees failed to take full advantage of a Mets team going through some of the same issues. The two clubs share more than a city. They also have some of the same trade deadline needs.

The Yankees shook up the depth chart to start the week by moving Jazz Chisholm back to second base. Upon the announcement, he had split the time as evenly as possible across 59 games: 30 at second base and another 29 at third base where he has often looked out-of-position.

The move ensures one thing about the Yankees in the coming weeks; they’re going to be right there alongside teams like the Mets bidding for a potential third base upgrade.

Third basemen on sellers better be open for a move to either New York team

The Mets roster has three third baseman on it with an asterisk attached to each. Mark Vientos is having arguably the most disappointing season. With no minor league options remaining, the Mets need to let him hit his way out of the year-long funk he has been in. Brett Baty has shown tremendous strides both at the plate and in the field. However, he is still getting out-hit by Ronny Mauricio whose switch-hitting abilities, speed, and experience at places other than third base makes him potentially more valuable in the eyes of the Mets.

The musical chairs game at third base is an unfortunate turn for a Mets club that seemed so certain they’d get 30+ home run power from Vientos in a full season. His monstrous 2024 campaign feels more distant by the day. A third baseman of some variety could be exactly what the team needs to improve its overall lineup.

Players locked in for multiple seasons probably don’t fit in best for the Mets. We can cross Ryan McMahon off the list. Nolan Arenado doesn’t move the needle enough either. It’s players like Eugenio Suarez having a big and powerful season or a lighter yet useful player such as Willi Castro of the Minnesota Twins who might fit best. Suarez batting fifth or sixth in this lineup or Castro being another versatile player to add to the lineup gives the Mets a much deeper team. The same would be true for the Yankees who have now decided that second base is where Chisholm belongs.

The Mets already have teams like the Philadelphia Phillies rumored to be in the mix for a third base upgrade. We can officially add the Yankees to the list.

More teams should enter the fray to acquire a third baseman. The slightly still contending Cincinnati Reds have one of the worst situations at the position in all of Major League Baseball. They’d probably be a better match for someone under team control beyond this season.

A bat isn’t the most pressing need for the Mets who currently employ a bullpen consisting of All-Star Edwin Diaz and a mix of players swinging back and forth from the minors as well as a few more well-known names jumping in and out of our circle of trust. Third base is a practical position to add at with multiple options. The Yankees lost the biggest bidding war of the offseason to the Mets when Juan Soto chose Queens. A smaller yet still important one is beginning to brew.