Yankees fans: Chew on this not-so-nuts idea.

First, the scenario: Gio Urshela comes back to earth offensively. The Yankees prefer DJ LeMahieu bouncing around the infield rather than at third base full-time. And the Yankees don’t feel comfortable playing Thairo Estrada or Tyler Wade at third base everyday in the thick of a pennant race.

Enter: Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon.

Here’s what MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince proposes:

If we do get to the point where the Nats are sellers, the Yankees might get to a point where they are third-base buyers, with Miguel Andujar now officially done for the year. It all depends on when or whether Gio Urshela comes crashing back down to earth. As explained by our own Mike Petriello, that might not happen. But if it does, then the Yankees are obvious fits for Rendon, and though they might have to begin a deal with a promising prospect such as right-handers Albert Abreu (their No. 3 prospect) or Deivi Garcia (No. 4), they wouldn’t have to go this far.

Rendon, 28, will be a free agent at season's end. He was hitting .342 with nine homers and 27 RBI through 33 games as of Tuesday afternoon.

Urshela deserves the benefit of the doubt to keep the job at third base.

Through 37 games going into Tuesday, he was hitting .343 with two homers and 16 RBI, posting a .876 OPS. Hitting coach Marcus Thames said he believes the improvements Urshela has made at the plate — focusing mostly on approach and not swinging at bad pitches — will prove that his emergence is for real. He’s always been an excellent defender.

Urshela took over third base for Miguel Andujar, who had season ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder Monday. He won’t play again this season.

Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.