Yankees' infield options as rumors swirl include Luis Arraez, Jorge Polanco and more

January is typically the sleepiest month on the MLB calendar, and the New York Yankees likely wont disturb slumber much.

After a busy December that saw the departure of Juan Soto to the New York Mets and the additions of Max Fried , Paul Goldschmidt , Cody Bellinger and Devin Williams , there arent many major tasks left on the front offices ledger.

Advertisement Of course, those under general manager Brian Cashman havent checked out for the month.

Theyre hard at work with the start of spring training looming as pitchers and catchers are scheduled report to Tampa, Fla., on Feb.

11.

In particular, they continue checking the trade market, exploring the possibility of dealing starting pitcher Marcus Stroman , according to a league source.

Stroman is the odd man out of the rotation and set to make $18 million next season.

One question that remains is how the Yankees will fill second base and third base.

The Jazz Chisholm Jr.

question The Yankees almost surely would prefer Chisholm at second base, which was his primary position in the majors from 2020 until 2022.

He was an All-Star as a second baseman in 2022 for the Miami Marlins before an injury cut his season short at 60 games.

Hes likely much more comfortable at the position than he is at third base, where the Yankees stuck him for the first time in his career following his trade deadline arrival.

He put up 8 outs above average in 45 regular season games there, according to Statcast.

Chisholm has the ability and the work ethic to stick at the position if the Yankees decide thats their best bet.

Jazz Chisholm Jr.

is risky, but the upside in 2025 with the Yankees is huge.

11 HR & 18 SB in 45 G with NYY after the trade.

Improved BB%, K%, Contact%, & Z-Contact% in 2024.

Even as a .250-.260 hitter, he could push Top 20 value in 2025 if healthy.

#FantasyBaseball #RepBX pic.twitter.com/YBiR9kQxJv Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) January 6, 2025 Internal candidates Second base: Barring trades or free agent signings, the Yankees figure to give looks to Oswald Peraza , 24, and Jorbit Vivas , 23, who spent last season at Triple-A.

Peraza seemed on track to be a major-league regular by now, having started a playoff game at shortstop for the Yankees in 2022.

But he lost the starting big-league shortstop competition to Anthony Volpe in 2023, missed time due to injury and has never hit enough for the Yankees to feel comfortable giving him an extended look.

Vivas, meanwhile, had just a .713 OPS in 93 games last year at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Advertisement Third base: DJ LeMahieu also projects to get a chance to show that his recent injuries are behind him.

Hes still owed $30 million over the next two years, but he was one of the worst-performing players in the majors last year (minus-1.6 bWAR, .527 OPS, 67 games.) Hell be 37 years old in July.

The utility option: Could Oswaldo Cabrera seize an opportunity to become the Yankees everyday third baseman? Hes looked solid enough at the position in the majors.

The Yankees, however, like that he can fill in at second base and at shortstop, too.

Cabreras primary focus in workouts this winter has been to re-establish that, as a switch hitter, he can be a threat from the right side of the plate too.

The Yankees mostly used Cabrera as a lefty hitter, occasionally even having him go left-on-left in certain matchups.

Teams have checked in on Cabreras availability in trades this offseason, a second league source said.

The 25-year-old is cheap, still a season away from salary arbitration eligibility, also plays the corner outfield spots, and wont be a free agent until after the 2028 season.

External possibilities Luis Arraez , San Diego Padres : While reports have linked the Yankees to Arraez, a league source said a deal didnt appear close as of Wednesday.

Arraez, who has won a batting title in each of the last three seasons, can hit singles but doesnt provide much else.

Hes a poor defender at second base, doesnt rate well as a base runner and has little pop, having slugged just four homers last year.

But he has strong numbers as a leadoff hitter.

which the Yankees need.

In 410 games batting leadoff, he has a career .780 OPS and a .364 OBP.

Its fair to wonder if those numbers would improve hitting in front of reigning American League MVP and Yankees No.

2 hitter Aaron Judge .

Jorge Polanco, free agent: The Yankees checked in on Polanco, according to the New York Post.

Polanco, 32 in July, played only second base last season for the Seattle Mariners , hitting just .213 with a .651 OPS in 118 games.

He was an All-Star in 2019 and hes three seasons removed from putting up a 4.9 bWAR in 2021.

He had left knee surgery this offseason but is expected to be ready for Opening Day.

Brendan Rodgers, free agent: Rodgers, 28, has posted just one MLB season with an OPS+ over 100.

Last season, he hit 13 homers with a .267 batting average and a .721 OPS in 135 games for the Colorado Rockies as a full-time second baseman.

Hes not considered a strong defender.

Colorado non-tendered him this offseason.

MLB Trade Rumors had projected a $5.5 million salary via arbitration for him in 2025 before the move.

Advertisement Ha-Seong Kim, free agent: Kim, 29, has been a strong defender in the majors but he slashed .233/.330/.370 last season and has just a career 99 OPS+.

He had shoulder surgery in September and its unclear when hell be ready to play in 2025.

Kike Hernandez, free agent: The Yankees were deep in talks with Hernandez before he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year.

Its unclear whether the Yankees are interested this time around.

Last season, Hernandez, 33, had a 85 OPS+ in 126 games.

He could be an option at second base or third base.

After the Dodgers World Series win, Hernandez ripped Fat Joes performance at Yankee Stadium just ahead of Game 3.

Whit Merrifield, free agent: The Yankees were also in contact with Merrifield after the Philadelphia Phillies cut him in July.

Merrifield landed with the Atlanta Braves , posting a 93 OPS+ in 42 games.

He turns 36 later this month.

(Photo of Arraez: Sean M.

Haffey / Getty Images).

This article has been shared from the original article on theathleticuk, here is the link to the original article.