The Yankees’ infield choices are dwindling.
Jorge Polanco, who had been of some degree of curiosity, agreed to re-sign with the Mariners on Thursday.
Ha-Seong Kim landed with the Rays on Wednesday.
The void left by Gleyber Torres stays, and there aren’t many confirmed free brokers left for the plucking.
The marketplace for second basemen and third basemen is led by Alex Bregman — a signing that may ship the Yankees hovering previous the ultimate CBT threshold — and features a few potential targets a number of tiers beneath.
It’s attainable that the Yankees enter camp (and the season) with Jazz Chisholm Jr. as their second baseman and permit DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza to battle it out for third base.
However a couple of week and a half earlier than pitchers and catchers report back to Tampa, here’s a take a look at a few of the Yankees’ exterior choices:
Free brokers
Kiké Hernández
A supply mentioned the Yankees have inquired on Hernandez, whom additionally they requested about final winter.
The 33-year-old utilityman is an October legend who stepped up his sport once more in serving to the Dodgers win the World Collection, however who has been extraordinary not too long ago within the common season, proudly owning a .643 OPS from 2022-24.
The most certainly vacation spot for Hernandez, although, might be again in Los Angeles, and the Dodgers may have open roster spots when they can slide injured gamers to the 60-day injured checklist.
Jose Iglesias
Would the Yankees set off a special sort of “OMG” response from Mets followers?
The 35-year-old second baseman/pop star nonetheless lingers in free company after a superb stint in Queens through which he hit .337 over 85 video games.
His superior metrics don’t help that his tempo was sustainable, however the smooth-fielding veteran re-established that he’s a significant league participant.
Yoan Moncada
Early within the offseason, the Yankees requested for and obtained medical info on Moncada, who performed simply 12 video games with the White Sox final season due to an adductor pressure.
Moncada is anticipated to be prepared for the beginning of spring coaching.
A supply mentioned the Yankees haven’t re-engaged on Moncada, which may change when the domino that’s Bregman and different infielders are taken off the board.
The 29-year-old started brilliantly with Chicago however has struggled to remain on the sector not too long ago (averaging about 70 video games per season in his previous three) and struggled when on the sector (.678 OPS within the span).
Brendan Rodgers
The previous third-overall choose of the Rockies broke out in 2021 (.798 OPS) and received a Gold Glove at second in ’22, however he has posted a mixed .716 OPS since (whereas taking part in his residence video games in a hitters’ paradise).
Rodgers is simply 28 however is perhaps seen extra as a flier than a surefire starter.
Trades
Nolan Arenado
Cardinals president John Mozeliak informed reporters a couple of weeks in the past it’s “a top priority” to maneuver Arenado, an ageing however good third baseman.
The Cardinals must eat a few of the $74 million Arenado is due for the subsequent three seasons.
How a lot does the 33-year-old, whose OPS has slipped from .891 to .774 to .719 over the previous three years, have left?
Luis Arraez
The Yankees’ post-Juan Soto pivot has included shoring up their protection, and the poor-fielding and -running Arraez wouldn’t match that purpose.
However the 27-year-old is a wizard with a bat, and the Yankees haven’t any apparent leadoff hitter.
Arraez is ready to make $14 million in his walk-year, and the Padres reportedly wish to trim payroll.
Alec Bohm
Would the Phillies, who’ve been pretty inactive this winter, attempt to shake up the lineup after a disappointing, NLDS loss to the Mets?
The 28-year-old Bohm emerged as an All-Star third baseman final yr however fell off within the second half — and nosedived in October, culminating in a Recreation 2 benching.
Willi Castro
The Twins’ do-everything fielder is simply 27 and was an All-Star final season.
The Twins is perhaps keen to maneuver him, although, after a poor second half in a season his OPS completed at .717 and earlier than his walk-year, through which he is because of make $6.4 million.
Castro is a robust fielder who may slide to 3rd base (or wherever, actually) and runs nicely, however he doesn’t hit the ball arduous.
