Alex Rodriguez thinks the Yankees should trade for two players

Alex Rodriguez, who won two American League MVP awards and one World Series with the New York Yankees, believes he knows what the Yankees' current roster is missing. And it starts at shortstop. "I would go get Mason (Miller, the San Diego Padres closer) and (Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy) Peña," Rodriguez said during an appearance July 17 on WFAN. "A shortstop, look at what Derek Jeter did here. Twenty years, he was the leader. He was the Jalen Brunson. Everything starts with that leader up the middle. But you need that guy to be rock solid." Miller, the San Diego Padres' closer, isn't assured of being on the trade block. The Padres are 48-48, and only 3.5 games out of a National League Wild Card berth. The bullpen has been a rare bright spot on an underachieving Padres team. Miller, a two-time All-Star, has a league-leading 25 saves, 0.91 ERA, and 0.78 WHIP. He would be an upgrade for any contending team — and give the Yankees arguably their best closer since Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera retired more than a decade ago. More news: Derek Jeter: Dodgers Comparisons to Yankees Dynasty Begin With One Man Rodriguez, part of Fox Sports' broadcast panel for the All-Star Game earlier this week, saved his most exhaustive comments for the shortstop position. Without identifying incumbents Anthony Volpe or Jose Caballero by name, Rodriguez suggested the duo lacks something important Peña has. "When the Knicks fans look at (Jalen) Brunson, everyone feels good, right? When everyone looks at Derek Jeter, there's good feelings. Mariano Rivera, good feelings." More news: One Executive Thinks Two Buyers Might Sell at MLB Trade Deadline Peña, the Astros' 2022 World Series MVP, is slashing .287/.347/.426 in 51 games for Houston this season. He's missed some time due to minor injuries but is expected back in time for the postseason. "If you look at our team, we have less than one or two championships in that dugout," Rodriguez said. "How can the organization that has 27 championships — what Lee Mazilli, Roy White did for me, Larry Bowa, Willie Randolph ... Reggie Jackson. "When we struggled, when Derek and I would get in a funk, it would be Reggie that would take us, Yogi Berra that would take us. And I think it's really important to get championship DNA back in the building."