The Yankees are busy cooking up potential moves this offseason, and according to Jeff Passan, they’ve been exploring their options at second base. The most intriguing name in these talks has been Luis Arráez of the San Diego Padres.
The Yankees reportedly also reached out to the Dodgers about Gavin Lux before his trade to Cincinnati, which suggests they’re on the hunt for infield flexibility.
This could hint that the team is content with Jazz Chisholm Jr. at third base—an entirely reasonable stance given his impressive defensive metrics.
Despite limited action at the hot corner last season, Chisholm ranked fourth among third basemen in Outs Above Average (OAA).
Why Luis Arráez’s Bat is So Tempting
Let’s talk about Arráez. He’s widely regarded as one of the best pure hitters in the game, with three consecutive batting titles to prove it.
He had an astonishing 141 plate appearances in 2024 without a single strikeout as well. The man is a contact machine.
For a Yankees lineup that struggled with consistency last year, his bat could be a game-changer.
The Financial and Defensive Dilemmas
The biggest issue here is money. Arráez is projected to earn $14.6 million in 2025 which complicates any trade talks with the Padres.
San Diego, teetering near the $241 million luxury tax threshold, would likely only entertain a deal that helps trim their payroll.
And unlike previous moves involving bad contract swaps, such as the Yankees’ reported Stroman-for-Arenado proposal, Arráez comes with unique challenges.
He’s a defensive liability—far from an ideal fit for a Yankees team still haunted by poor defensive showings in last year’s World Series.
While adding Arráez might boost the lineup’s offensive firepower, it could simultaneously undermine their defense, even with Chisholm holding things down at third.
For a team that’s aiming to get back to the Fall Classic, that’s a risk they might not be willing to take.
Have the Yankees Moved On?
In fact, Jon Heyman’s recent report suggests that Arráez may no longer be part of the Yankees’ plans. As Heyman put it, he’s simply “not seen as a fit.”
Whether this is a strategic pivot or a sign of stalled talks, one thing’s clear. The Yankees are actively weighing their options, and the next few weeks could bring more twists in their offseason story.
