Breaking down the dwindling infield options for the Yankees
The Yankees’ infield options are dwindling.
Jorge Polanco, who had been of some level of interest, agreed to re-sign with the Mariners on Thursday.
Ha-Seong Kim landed with the Rays on Wednesday.
The void left by Gleyber Torres remains, and there are not many proven free agents left for the plucking.
The market for second basemen and third basemen is led by Alex Bregman — a signing that would send the Yankees soaring past the final CBT threshold — and includes a few potential targets several tiers below.
It is possible that the Yankees enter camp (and the season) with Jazz Chisholm Jr. as their second baseman and allow DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza to battle it out for third base.
But about a week and a half before pitchers and catchers report to Tampa, here is a look at some of the Yankees’ external options:
Free agents
Kiké Hernández
A source said the Yankees have inquired on Hernandez, whom they also asked about last winter.
The 33-year-old utilityman is an October legend who stepped up his game again in helping the Dodgers win the World Series, but who has been ordinary recently in the regular season, owning a .643 OPS from 2022-24.
The most likely destination for Hernandez, though, is probably back in Los Angeles, and the Dodgers will have open roster spots when they are able to slide injured players to the 60-day injured list.
Jose Iglesias
Would the Yankees trigger a different kind of “OMG” reaction from Mets fans?
The 35-year-old second baseman/pop star still lingers in free agency after a brilliant stint in Queens in which he hit .337 over 85 games.
His advanced metrics do not support that his pace was sustainable, but the smooth-fielding veteran re-established that he is a major league player.
Yoan Moncada
Early in the offseason, the Yankees asked for and received medical information on Moncada, who played just 12 games with the White Sox last season because of an adductor strain.
Moncada is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.
A source said the Yankees have not re-engaged on Moncada, which could change when the domino that is Bregman and other infielders are taken off the board.
The 29-year-old began brilliantly with Chicago but has struggled to stay on the field recently (averaging about 70 games per season in his past three) and struggled when on the field (.678 OPS in the span).
Brendan Rodgers
The former third-overall pick of the Rockies broke out in 2021 (.798 OPS) and won a Gold Glove at second in ’22, but he has posted a combined .716 OPS since (while playing his home games in a hitters’ paradise).
Rodgers is just 28 but might be seen more as a flier than a surefire starter.
Trades
Nolan Arenado
Cardinals president John Mozeliak told reporters a few weeks ago it is “a top priority” to move Arenado, an aging but brilliant third baseman.
The Cardinals would have to eat some of the $74 million Arenado is due for the next three seasons.
How much does the 33-year-old, whose OPS has slipped from .891 to .774 to .719 over the past three years, have left?
Luis Arraez
The Yankees’ post-Juan Soto pivot has included shoring up their defense, and the poor-fielding and -running Arraez would not fit that goal.
But the 27-year-old is a wizard with a bat, and the Yankees have no obvious leadoff hitter.
Arraez is set to make $14 million in his walk-year, and the Padres reportedly want to trim payroll.
Alec Bohm
Would the Phillies, who have been fairly inactive this winter, try 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 last year but fell off in the second half — and nosedived in October, culminating in a Game 2 benching.
Willi Castro
The Twins’ do-everything fielder is just 27 and was an All-Star last season.
The Twins might be willing to move him, though, after a poor second half in a season his OPS finished at .717 and before his walk-year, in which he is due to make $6.4 million.
Castro is a strong fielder who could slide to third base (or anywhere, really) and runs well, but he does not hit the ball hard.
