The New York Yankees lost a tough series over the weekend to the Boston Red Sox, something the team and fan base never wants to happen. While they still hold a sizable lead in the American League East, four games ahead of the second-place Toronto Blue Jays, the Blue Jays have been hot recently, going 8-2. If the Yankees don’t figure things out over the next few months, there’s a good chance somebody in the division could catch them.Â
It makes all the sense in the world for the Yankees to trade for an infielder at the trade deadline.Â
It remains uncertain who will be available for them to pursue, but Jim Bowden of The Athletic recently proposed a trade idea for them to land Luis Arraez of the San Diego Padres. Arraez is a very good player, someone the Yankees would love to have.Â
âThe Yankees would like an offensive upgrade for both DJ LeMahieu and Oswald Peraza and can do so at either second or third base since Jazz Chisholm Jr. is willing to play either position. I like the fit with Donovan because heâs a solid two-way player, but the Cardinals are not interested in moving him since theyâre in the race.Â
âI think Lowe would be a great fit with his left-handed power and the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium, but I canât see the second-place Rays trading him to a division rival in the middle of a pennant race, and Iâd say the same thing about Bichette and the Blue Jays. That might leave Arraez as the best realistic fit. Arraez is not a great defender, but heâs won a batting title each of the past three years and would create extra traffic on the bases for New Yorkâs sluggers to drive home. Iâm just not sure how the Yankees and Padres would fit as trade partners,â he wrote.
A Much Needed Offensive Boost
Throughout the 2025 campaign, Arraez has continued to swing the bat at a high level. He’s been one of the best bat-to-ball hitters in Major League Baseball history throughout his first seven years.Â
While his numbers are somewhat down, hitting .274 compared to his .319 career average, he’s still been decent and would be welcomed in the middle of the New York Yankees lineup.Â
With the issues the Yankees have continued to face in the middle of their lineup, it’s impossible to suggest that Arraez wouldn’t be a fix.Â
Were the Yankeesâ Flaws Exposed?
When searching for potential areas of need for the New York Yankees, The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner said it best. He noted that the Yankees didn’t play well against the Boston Red Sox, noting that their struggles were highlighted over the weekend.Â
He then added that the Yankees needed to add an infielder, but failed to do so during the offseason. With an opportunity to do it again, they can’t miss their chance.Â
âThe Yankees needed an upgrade over the winter to their infield, but they did not add a viable option to improve their bench. LeMahieu has battled injuries to his lower body over the past few seasons, which has zapped his power. Peraza has yet to prove he can hit major-league pitching. Reyes was a nice spring training story, but the Yankees were fooled by meaningless February and March stats. Thereâs not much reason for Reyes to be one of the Yankeesâ 26 players,â he wrote.
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