This potential Yankees-Padres trade package for Luis Arraez fits like a glove

It's been well documented that the New York Yankees have a need in the infield, and their options are dwindling as we march closer toward spring training. Still, there are a variety of ways for the Yanks to go, given the versatility of second-or-third baseman Jazz Chisholm.

Recently, the team has been linked, and later unlinked (for now) to San Diego Padres first baseman/second baseman Luis Arraez. Regardless of the conflicting reporting from various insiders, Arraez may represent the best option left, and in many ways fits the Yankees like a glove.

Yet, despite entering his age-28 season, the three-time batting champ might cost less than you think. For one, he's a butcher in the field at first and even more brutal at second. Secondly, he's pretty much a one-trick pony with the bat who rarely walks, and has fewer career home runs (28) than Aaron Judge had last season by the All-Star break (34).

Add the fact that he's a free agent at the end of the season and you get a player that, despite his accolades, should be relatively cheap to acquire.

The Yankees and Padres match up well for a Luis Arraez trade

The Padres need to cut payroll, and currently hold Arraez and ace starter Dylan Cease as their two main chips to accomplish that goal while restocking their cupboard. With long-term deals for stars like Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Xander Bogaerts already on their books, the Friars aren't going into a total rebuild, but need cost-controlled, major-league-ready talent to reinvigorate their window of contention in the cutthroat NL West.

Their two biggest needs are in the outfield, where they stand to lose last year's standout performer Jurickson Profar, and in the starting rotation, regardless of whether or not they move Cease.

Enter the Bronx Bombers. They have a handful of big-league-ready arms and blocked outfield bats that are expendable, given the current roster construction. Specifically, the Yankees could offer up right-handed starter Will Warren and outfielder Everson Pereira in exchange for Arraez.

Will Warren entered last season knocking on the door of the majors, yet never really found his groove, posting a 5.91 ERA in Triple-A and getting lit up like a Christmas tree to the tune of a 10.32 ERA in 22.2 big-league innings. Still, he's well thought-of, with many stuff metrics believing he bears a striking resemblance to Michael King, ironically sent between these two teams last offseason.

Pereira has long been a jewel of the Yankees farm system for many years due to his loud power, speed, and ability to play all three outfield positions. However, the soon-to-be 24-year-old is blocked by Jasson Dominguez, Cody Bellinger, and that Judge guy in the outfield. Strikeouts have been an issue for Pereira, and his lone major league cup of coffee couldn't have gone worse, running a 38.8% strikeout rate en route to a 21 wRC+ in 103 plate appearances in 2023.

For the Yankees, they can get an imperfect player who still fills a real need while giving up two players who don't have a role with the club in 2025. For San Diego, they get a soon-to-be 26-year-old starting pitcher to fill out the back end of their rotation, and an outfielder with impressive tools. As an added bonus, both players still have rookie eligibility and will make peanuts for the next several seasons.