MLB trade rumors: Yankees pursuing Marlins’ Justin Bour

The Yankees are interested in acquiring the services of first baseman Justin Bour of the Miami Marlins according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

The Yankees have been searching for first base help since Greg Bird went down with an ankle and knee injury earlier this season. The team is unsure that Bird will return this season, and the production of his replacements has been lacking.

Since the Bird injury, the Yankees have designated Chris Carter for assignment twice, and have also seen prospect Tyler Austin go on the DL with a hamstring problem. In a seemingly desperate move, the Yankees have now run out Ji-Man Choi for the past few days, but there is a glaring hole at first base.

Bour, 29, has hit .286/.361/.553 with a .914 OPS, along with 20 homers, 57 RBIs and 11 doubles. He was also selected as a participant in this year’s Home Run Derby, and is a more than viable option for the Yankees to fill their first base need.

Today, Yankees’ GM Brian Cashman told Michael Kay on YES Network that the Yankees would be “careful buyers” at this year’s trade deadline. With this mindset, the Yankees would likely be reluctant to part ways with top prospects in any deal, but will still look to upgrade in areas of need.

The club has also been linked to Lucas Duda of the Mets at first base, and will also be looking at other areas to upgrade the team. The Yankees have been spiraling of late, but are still in the AL East race and on top of the AL Wild Card standings which is a reason they will look to continue contending this season.