The Yankees’ trade deadline shopping list is already crowded, but one name could help them knock out several problems at once: Spencer Steer.
New York still has the big-ticket needs everyone can see - catcher, bullpen help and, if everything breaks right, a boost at the top of the rotation. But even if Brian Cashman lands those upgrades, the roster still has some soft spots that need attention. The Yankees could use a replacement or platoon partner for Ryan McMahon, a right-handed-hitting outfielder, and maybe even an upgrade over Amed Rosario.
That’s where Steer comes in. The Reds’ versatile right-handed bat could give the Yankees a cleaner answer to a bunch of those secondary issues in one shot.
Rosario, who entered the season looking like he might be in line for a big year, has not delivered. His main assignment was to handle left-handed pitching, but he has hit just .211/.270/.400 against southpaws this season. For a player supposed to work as McMahon’s caddy, that simply hasn’t been enough.
The problems go beyond the bat. Rosario was also supposed to cover second base and the outfield, but he has been a defensive liability everywhere he’s played, including third base. Through the All-Star break, he sat at 0.0 fWAR, which is about as close to replacement level as it gets.
The Yankees’ outfield has its own issue, too. They’ve needed a right-handed bat there all season, and while Jose Caballero has gotten chances, his defense hasn’t been strong enough. There’s also the possibility that Anthony Volpe’s track record eventually pushes Caballero back into a full-time shortstop role.
Jasson Dominguez adds another wrinkle. He’s a sort-of right-handed outfield option, but the glove remains a problem, and the offense hasn’t been there from either side. Oddly enough, he has been better from the right side, hitting .265/.294/.408 as a right-handed batter.
Steer offers something different. The 28-year-old has played every position except shortstop and catcher this season, and he’s been at least passable defensively almost everywhere. Last year, he was a Gold Glove finalist as Cincinnati’s everyday first baseman, which gives New York another possible answer at first if Paul Goldschmidt keeps turning into a pumpkin.
At the plate, Steer does damage against lefties, hitting .333/.436/.603 against southpaws. Overall this season, he’s batting .247/.328/.421 with 14 homers. He’s also been a steady source of power, with between 20 and 23 home runs in each of the last three seasons.
The financial piece matters, too. Steer is making just $4 million this year and is under team control through 2028. That makes him a far cheaper alternative at third base or a partner for McMahon, especially with the Yankees paying McMahon $16 million this year and next, and still owing DJ LeMahieu $15 million to not play for them this season.
Bob Nightengale has reported that Steer is expected to be available and in demand as the Reds’ playoff hopes fade. That means the price to get him won’t be light.
But he’d give the Yankees help in a lot of places at once, and he’d make the roster harder to break by offering starting-level production across much of the diamond. That kind of fit could be worth paying for.
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