The New York Yankees appear to be relying on inside choices like Oswaldo Cabrera or Oswald Peraza to finish their 2025 infield. Whereas a type of guys may shock everybody with a breakout yr, a a lot better, absolutely confirmed possibility presumably accessible by way of commerce is second baseman Luis Arraez.
The San Diego Padres could also be looking to dump Arraez’s $14 million contract for prospects earlier than he calls for way more in free company in 2026. The Bombers ought to make a proposal the Padres can’t refuse as a result of he may very well be the piece they should finish their 16-year championship drought.
Arraez isn’t an influence menace and doesn’t stroll a lot, however the Yankees ought to get greater than sufficient lengthy balls and free passes from the remainder of their lineup. What Arraez would give the Yankees is base hits and balls in play.
The 27-year-old is a .323 profession hitter, and he’s put up 200 or extra hits within the final two seasons whereas hanging out solely 63 occasions. Whereas base hits and batting averages have been devalued and strikeout totals missed within the league just lately, they shouldn’t be.
The Yankees are nice at placing runners on base. Within the 2024 World Sequence, they outhit the Los Angeles Dodgers in almost every category. The Bombers collection OBP was .332 in comparison with the Dodgers’ .296 mark. But the Dodgers scored extra runs (25 to the Yankees’ 24) and simply received the collection.
Whereas the Yankees did notch 36 base hits to the Dodgers’ 33, changing a number of of their walks with base knocks may have put New York over the sting. Give it some thought: a stroll can’t drive in a runner from second base; a single can.
Along with his potential to hit for common and keep away from Ks, Arraez can steadiness the Yankees’ lineup. In the event that they bat him leadoff, they might go lefty/righty all the way down to switch-hitting Jasson Dominguez within the No. 9 gap. As an example:
- Luis Arraez, 2B
- Aaron Decide, RF
- Cody Bellinger, CF
- Giancarlo Stanton, DH
- Jazz Chisholm Jr., 3B
- Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
- Austin Wells, C
- Anthony Volpe, SS
- Jasson Dominguez, LF
That lineup is a factor of magnificence. And certain, the switch-hitting Cabrera may supply the identical steadiness — however he hasn’t confirmed he can constantly hit.
Plus, Arraez will likely be taking part in for a contract. He’s liable to win his fourth straight batting title and presumably put up effectively over 200 hits as he tries to maximise his market worth.
The Yankees don’t want to consider this commerce. Simply give the Padres what they need for his or her hit machine.
