The New York Yankees appear to be relying on inside choices like Oswaldo Cabrera or Oswald Peraza to finish their 2025 infield. Whereas a kind of guys might shock everybody with a breakout 12 months, a a lot better, absolutely confirmed possibility probably out there 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 far 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 risk 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 putting out solely 63 occasions. Whereas base hits and batting averages have been devalued and strikeout totals neglected 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 sequence OBP was .332 in comparison with the Dodgers’ .296 mark. But the Dodgers scored extra runs (25 to the Yankees’ 24) and simply gained the sequence.
Whereas the Yankees did notch 36 base hits to the Dodgers’ 33, changing just a few of their walks with base knocks might 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 skill to hit for common and keep away from Ks, Arraez can stability the Yankees’ lineup. In the event that they bat him leadoff, they may go lefty/righty right down to switch-hitting Jasson Dominguez within the No. 9 gap. As an illustration:
- 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 positive, the switch-hitting Cabrera might supply the identical stability — however he hasn’t confirmed he can constantly hit.
Plus, Arraez will likely be enjoying for a contract. He’s liable to win his fourth straight batting title and probably 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.
