Yankees Daily Trade Deadline Profile: Lucas Duda

MLB’s non-waiver trade deadline is July 31st. As the New York Yankees appear to be in playoff contention, every day this month we will take a look at a player who could be involved in the Yankees’ deadline activity. These players will either be current Yankees who could be traded away or players from other organizations who New York could look to acquire for the playoff push.

First base has been the Yankees’ weakest position this season and it’s not even close. In turn, the not-so-hot corner could be New York’s top priority at the trade deadline.

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 25: Lucas Duda /

1B Lucas Duda, New York Mets, Buy

The rumors of Lucas Duda being traded across town from the Mets to the Yankees have been all over the Internet.

Will it happen? Who knows.

Does it make sense? Absolutely.

First base has been a black hole for the Yankees this year. Although Duda hasn’t been phenomenal, he’d be an improvement over what the Yanks already have.

Duda is hitting .238 which is not great, but better than what the Yankees have. The slugger’s .351 on-base percentage is also respectable.

Duda’s best attribute is his power, which has continued this season with his 14 home runs. He only has 30 RBI, but that says more about the Mets’ lack of offense as a team.

The 31-year-old is also a sure fielder with a .998 fielding percentage in 2017. He has a .996 FP at first base over his entire career.

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With the Mets ready to sell at the trade deadline, an expiring contract like Duda’s is all but sure to go.

Dominic Smith waiting in Triple-A to take over at first base should motivate the Mets to move on from Duda.

Duda’s left-handed swing will be great for Yankee Stadium and all he’d have to do is hop on a Subway to get to his new place of employment.

Duda would only be a rental for the Yankees, which limits the return the Mets would get.

A pitching prospect such as Nolan Martinez, Ian Clarkin, or Drew Finley could be enough to pull this deal off.

Duda’s rental status is great for the Yankees. They can put Duda at first for the remainder of the 2017 season and still have an opening for Greg Bird to take over next year.

Brian Cashman has stuck by Greg Bird through his injuries. He has continued to say that Bird is still the future at first base for the Yankees.

Rental first basemen like Duda and Oakland’s Yonder Alonso fit New York’s need and could be top targets at the trade deadline.

Next: Yankees Daily Trade Deadline Profile: Mike Moustakas

Cashman has said that the Yankees will be buyers at the trade deadline. They may look to their crosstown rivals to get a deal done.

Just two neighbors helping each other out.

Tomorrow we’ll look at one of the Yankees’ top prospects who could get moved at the trade deadline. If Cashman is able to solve first base with a rental like Duda, he may be able to use this prospect to bring in a controllable starting pitcher.

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