Two things on the to-do list for the New York Yankees remain an addition and a subtraction. The addition would be an infielder, preferably a second baseman. The subtraction is in relation to Yankees starter Marcus Stroman. The team is desperately trying to move him.
Yankees Might Acquire Infielder Targets by Shedding Excess Players
Where do the Yankees go from here? The team has no use for Stroman and all the need for an infielder.
The New York native, at best, could be a second-string starter for the team or a long bullpen option. Regardless, that type of money for a long reliever is a hard sell to the organization.
The ball club has another $18 million tied up in the right-hander for 2025. They would love to dump that bill somewhere else.
Recent speculations say the Yankees would be willing to pay for Stroman to depart the Bronx. Hypothetical options could include Stroman’s origination, in Toronto. Others could also include San Diego and St. Louis.
A Free Agent Infielder Could Be the Next Move in the Market for the Yankees
This may not help the Stroman situation; however, the Bronx Bombers are reportedly eyeing free-agent infielder Paul Dejong. The eight-year veteran spent most of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals.
In 2023, he played hopscotch through mid-season trades, landing both with the Blue Jays and Giants. In 2024, Dejong started the year with the Chicago White Sox and ended the year with the Kansas City Royals.
This past season, he slashed a .227/.267/.427. Dejong recorded 101 hits, 24 home runs, and 56 RBIs. He played 90 games at shortstop in 2024 and had a .958 fielding percentage, 110 putouts, and 163 assists.
The infielder also played third base, with a .970 fielding percentage. He can play both positions and is adaptable at second base.
Toronto Has Options But it May Take the Right Deal to Get What the Yankees Want
The alleged proposal or trade idea with the divisional rival Toronto Blue Jays, had Stroman returning to his MLB roots. The Yankees wanted to send Stroman to Toronto, a club who hasn’t done much.
This would look good in the hands of management and would be a slap in the face to the Blue Jays fan base, given the history and terms of departure.
Ben Rice and Stroman were a packaged deal for Blue Jays infielder Davis Schneider.
The infielder debuted in 2023, coming hot out of the gates. He brought grit to the Blue Jays and was dependable with the bat in situational hitting.
Schnieder’s current numbers don’t scream out a three-for-one deal, but there is potential. Schneider slashed .191/.282/.343 in 2024. His projections show 15 home runs in 2025 with a .223 batting average and similar on-base and slugging percentages.
Looking further into the roster, the Blue Jays may realistically be dealing with established shortstop Bo Bichette. The Jays intend to re-sign Vladimir Guerrero Jr, and that bill may be strictly affordable one way.
For the Yankees to possibly land Bichette, they would need to be willing to part ways with Oswaldo Cabrera or Anthony Volpe, in addition to Stroman and Rice. Such a trade may also include a prospect of high-caliber ability.
Unfortunately, the Blue Jays may try to negotiate with Bichette. They’d like to keep him to assist a struggling offensive situation and an improvement-lacking roster. Any trade move may be at the deadline.
What Other Possibilities Are Out There?
Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner is a 27-year-old middle infielder who is a great defender and a playmaker. His offense isn’t above satisfactory, but his at-bats are quality, and he’ll get on base and move over.
Hoerner slashed .273/.335/.373 with 86 runs scored, 48 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases.
The talks of Luis Arraez would be a stellar move for the Yankees. The infielder can play second base and the corners and put the bat on the ball. Arraez isn’t a huge power-home run guy, but he’ll string together hits and runs.
He led the league with 200 hits in 2024 and a batting average of .314. Arraez left the Miami Marlins in a seasonal move that took him to San Diego with the Padres. A player of such caliber would take a few pieces to consider.
Stroman, Rice, and Cabrera would be guaranteed. The Yankees may also afford San Diego a top prospect, such as shortstop Roderick Arias and one more.
Arraez was once an idea that simmered back into the whispers of the league.
