Trent Grisham and Eugenio Suarez: A Tale of Two Potential Rentals
The trade deadline has presented the Yankees with the opportunity to acquire and trade players who are defined as rentals. These players are traded to reinforce teams who want to make a playoff run but are destined to leave the following season. The big fish is currently a third baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Eugenio Suarez. His breakout season, highlighted by 38 home runs thus far, makes him more desirable the closer we get to the deadline. He was on the Yankees' wish list, but the price appeared too steep. They went with Ryan McMahon instead.
When one looks at the Yankees, they have a player who is also having a breakout season in Trent Grisham. At 29, and in his final contract year, Grisham is not likely to receive a long-term extension to keep him in New York. His value on the trade market would rival Suarez's. Suarez has more home runs and RBI, yet Grisham is close in hits and average and superior defensively. However, the Yankees refuse to get max value for him now and would rather watch him walk away for no compensation. The Yankees could acquire a bullpen piece, promising prospects, or both from a team in need of a top defensive centerfielder with a talent for hitting crucial home runs. However, the lack of trust and general disregard for top prospect Jasson Dominguez will ensure Grisham remains untraded.
The tale of two rentals, one being actively marketed, while the other is kept as untouchable. Arizona understands its position and aims to maximize its return for its best talent. The Yankees' reluctance to trade Trent Grisham means they will most likely lose him without any compensation, missing the opportunity to acquire valuable players to fill other gaps in their team. This is a Yankee tradition under Cashman’s leadership and his trade deadline history.
In conclusion, the tale of these two players, Eugénio Suarez and Trent Grisham, highlights the contrasting strategies of their respective teams. The Yankees are conservative to a fault, and that direction will ensure Trent will end up looking for teams next year, and like Gleyber Torres, will bring the Yankees zero in return. The Diamondbacks are bolder and recognize when it's time to cash out. They are guaranteed to leave the poker table with more than they entered with.
