It’s a bit surprising that the Yankees have been so quiet on the infield front, especially with Gleyber Torres leaving. They’ve typically been aggressive in addressing needs, but it seems like they may be taking a different approach this offseason. Letting Ha-Seong Kim slip to the Rays, a team that can benefit from his defensive versatility and bat, is a big miss. With spring training so close, it’s starting to feel like the Yankees may try to address this gap internally, maybe looking to prospects or shifting players around. It’s a lot of pressure to face with the season looming, though. Do you think they’ll make a last-minute push, or are they more likely to fill the spot from within?
Yankees Let One Major Torres Replacement Slip Away
The Rays, known for their consistently low payroll, signed Kim to a budget-friendly two-year, $29 million deal, which left Yankee fans frustrated.
Robert Casey of Bleeding Yankee Blue expressed his disappointment on Friday, writing, “The more you think about it, the dumber it becomes. The Yankees had the chance, the resources, and even money coming in from the Rays — and they still didn’t pull the trigger. It’s not just frustrating; it’s downright embarrassing.”
When Casey mentions the “money coming in from the Rays,” he’s referring to the $15 million the Yankees will receive for letting the Rays use George Steinbrenner Field for their home games this season, due to significant damage to Tropicana Field from Hurricane Milton. However, this payment is being covered by insurance, not the Rays.
On Thursday, though, a potential solution emerged for the Yankees’ infield need. Baseball insider Jim Bowden, a former MLB general manager and Executive of the Year, shared that a player might soon be available who could not only fill that gap but also give the Yankees an opportunity to challenge their long-time rivals, the Boston Red Sox.
Red Sox Fan Favorite May Betray Old Team
The player in question is Xander Bogaerts, a four-time All-Star and former Red Sox shortstop. Before the 2023 season, Bogaerts left Boston to sign an 11-year, $280 million contract with the Padres — a deal that some experts are now calling one of the worst in baseball. The Padres are reportedly looking to offload Bogaerts just two years into the contract, lending weight to that criticism.
According to Bowden on the Foul Territory podcast, the Padres have explored trading one of their top prospects along with Bogaerts in exchange for a team taking on his contract. This move is part of their broader effort to reduce payroll.
The question now is whether the Yankees would be willing to assume Bogaerts’ remaining $225 million over the next nine years — a deal that will carry the shortstop through age 41. This decision hinges on the Yankees’ priorities: if they are focused on winning in the short term, they may be open to paying Bogaerts’ $25 million salary for 2025. However, if they’re concerned about their long-term future, they may hesitate.
Taking Bogaerts’ contract off the Padres’ hands would benefit San Diego and likely cost the Yankees only a low-level prospect or two, while potentially netting a high-ranking prospect in return, as Bowden suggested. Additionally, the Yankees would get the added bonus of acquiring a player who was once beloved by Red Sox fans.