Yankees reportedly considering defense-first former top prospect as Luis Arraez alternative

Is Luis Arraez "not seen as a fit" for the New York Yankees (as Jon Heyman reported) permanently, or is that subject to change? Given their desire to move swiftly away from Gleyber Torres, surrendering prospects for one year of Arraez's subpar defense and questionable baserunning feels like an about-face.

Then again, Arraez's offense is beyond over-hated. His 2024 campaign was the least valuable of his three straight batting titles (yes, that really just happened), but his 2022-23 OBPs of .393 and .375 would be life-changing atop the Yankees' lineup. Even last year ... 200 hits in front of Aaron Judge from the left side? Someone who can put the ball in play, above all else? Don't overthink it. That helps.

Still, it seems more likely than not that the Yankees would prefer a defensive specialist at the position, and if they can grab a big name whose lost his prospect shine, all the better.

In the Aaron Hicks/Didi Gregorius mold, the Yankees are reportedly talking to former Colorado Rockies second baseman Brendan Rodgers, a former top-10 prospect in the game and 2022 Gold Glove winner. That year, he collected 4.3 bWAR and started to live up to his considerable potential, before backsliding and batting .267 with a .314 OBP and 92 OPS+ last season. He's never OBP'd over .328 in a full season of Major League Baseball. It goes without saying that such numbers won't help a Yankees team that doesn't get on base very much.

Yankees discussing new contract with former Rockies infielder Brendan Rodgers, per Bob Nightengale

It's a great move if he finds his swagger again and pairs his top-notch glove with the offensive ability he's been searching for since his prospect days. It's a bad move if the Padres salary dump Arraez elsewhere, and the Yankees are stuck holding the $8 million bag of someone who wasn't even on the board a few months ago.

Naturally, any Arraez trade/Rodgers signing likely hinges on Marcus Stroman's salary living on someone else's books; Nightengale reiterated Tuesday that the Yankees still hope to shed his $18 million in due time. Criticize the Yankees for being cheap all you want, but they know there are better ways to spend nearly $20 million than on a No. 6 starter they'd rather not use. Reapportioning his money makes sense -- and yes, there's even more of it due in 2026.

At the very least, it's good to see the Yankees acknowledging they very much require another infielder before 2025 begins. Whether they choose Arraez's "superior right now" offense or stick to their defensive plan and hope for a Rodgers emergence will be a fascinating case study for next year, especially if nobody gets on base ahead of the team's big boppers (yet again).