The New York Yankees are now in dire need of an outfield bat following Cody Bellinger’s hamstring injury, as Aaron Judge is also sidelined with recovering from a rib stress fracture.
The Yankees were already rumored to be targeting another outfielder prior to Bellinger’s injury, but now, they might be in desperation mode.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Cincinnati Reds utility man Spencer Steer has emerged as a possible target for the Yankees before the MLB trade deadline, and Rucker Haringey of FanSided explained the fit.
What makes the 27-year-old particularly appealing is his defensive flexibility. He is comfortable at both corner outfield spots and can handle center field in a limited capacity, which would allow him to step in immediately for Bellinger.
On the infield he can play first, second, and third base, giving New York valuable insurance against further injuries as the team navigates the remainder of the regular season and, potentially, October.
The Reds are under no obligation to move Steer, who remains under team control through the 2028 season with two years of arbitration remaining.
Yet Haringey argues that Cincinnati would be wise to take a longer-term view and devised a package that would have the Yanks sending two players to the Reds in exchange for Steer: outfielder Jasson Dominguez and pitching prospect Brock Selvidge. This would help the Reds strengthen their young core rather than simply retain a useful but limited player.
For the Yankees, Steer would not be expected to transform the lineup single-handedly. Critics rightly note that he is not an All-Star caliber talent capable of swinging a pennant race on his own. Steer is slashing .240/.320/.423 with 16 home runs and 40 RBI this season. Solid? Yes. Transcendent? Hardly.
His value would instead lie in versatility and depth.
Third base has been a consistent weak spot in New York, where the platoon of Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario has produced uneven results. Rosario’s usual strength against left-handed pitching has not carried over into 2026, opening the door for Steer to serve as McMahon’s primary partner.
At second base, Jazz Chisholm’s struggles create a similar opportunity for a right-handed complement, even if such a role might not sit well with a player heading toward free agency.
Haringey’s central point is pragmatic: at the deadline, the smartest moves are often those that address multiple roster holes at once.
Acquiring Steer would give Cashman one transaction that bolsters four positions, providing both immediate coverage and longer-term insurance as Bellinger, Judge and Giancarlo Stanton work their way back. In a crowded playoff race, that kind of flexibility can prove decisive.
The sticking point? Steer exited the Reds game on Sunday with a wrist injury, so that is certainly worth monitoring as the Aug. 3 deadline inches closer.
