The New York Yankees need some serious polishing to prepare for 2025. The team falling short in the 2024 World Series is a huge wake-up call to the front office. But before improvements can be made internally, the Yankees have vacancies to fill, and the infield will be one area to pay attention to.
The right side of the infield proved to be a weak point for the Yankees on the offensive end. One of the two regulars pulled it together for the postseason. However, both of these players likely won’t return as Yankees.
Yankees Must Shore Up the Right Side of the Infield
Torres and Rizzo Likely to Move On
Gleyber Torres earned his leadoff role in the lineup during the postseason. This October, he recorded a .241 batting average, a .348 on-base percentage, and a .397 slugging percentage. He slated 14 hits, eight RBI, 10 walks, and only seven strikeouts.
Torres’ overall season ended with a slash of .257/.330/.378. The second baseman concerned the Yankees with a lack of production and performance during the season. Even with his postseason turnaround, Torres is not expected to return to the club.
Anthony Rizzo is the second party on the right side of the infield. A slow start, two injuries, and a mediocre performance also had Rizzo on the chopping block. Rizzo was concerning to the Yankees before his injury and didn’t exactly excel upon his return.
The first baseman is now a free agent, along with Torres. Like Torres, he probably won’t be coming back to New York in 2025. That being said, the right side of the infield needs to be replenished.
Possible First Baseman Additions
Justin Turner
Justin Turner is a 16-year Major League veteran who is now a free agent. Turner has played with six different clubs, primarily the Los Angeles Dodgers. The first baseman has also spent time with the New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners.
Turner spent 2024 with two clubs, starting in Toronto and ending up in Seattle at the trade deadline. He was a part of a club-wide yard sale in Toronto. Between two clubs this season, Turner slashed .259/.354/.383. He recorded 119 hits, 11 home runs, and 55 RBI. The corner infielder does not have superior numbers but is proven to put the ball in play and generate movement on the basepaths. He’s a powerful line-drive hitter who stays up the middle and can use all fields. Defensively, he’s fundamentally sound.
Turner is well-versed in the American League East, spending time with three of the five divisional teams.
Pete Alonso
Whether Juan Soto re-signs or not, Pete Alonso should also remain a focus for the Yankees. Alonso spent his time across the train tracks in Queens, New York with the Mets. For Alonso to keep his talents in New York City, the Bronx side would build his brand, and vice versa.
Alonso in a lineup with Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, and Giancarlo Stanton would be deadly. Signing him would be the ultimate improvement offensively for that side of the infield. Although the Yankees would probably want a left-handed bat at first base, the quality of the free agent first baseman supersedes all.
Alonso’s accolades speak for themselves. With six years in the big leagues, the right-handed hitter has been named to the MLB All-Star Game four times, most recently this season, his third straight trip.
Alonso’s 2024 Season Summary
Alonso is extremely dependable; so dependable that the Mets played him in all 162 games to lead the majors. He slashed .240/.329/.459, recording 146 hits, 34 home runs, 88 RBI, and scoring 91 times.
Alonso, known as the “Polar Bear,” crawled through the battle with the Mets in the 2024 postseason. He recorded 44 at-bats with 12 hits, four home runs, 10 RBI, 12 walks, and 25 total bases.
Alonso was a huge part of the Mets advancing to the National League Championship Series after being almost counted out near mid-regular season.
The first baseman is still young, dependable, and driven. His output and demeanor would fit right in with the Yankees’ brand, and his skill sets would complement the rest of the lineup.
Second Base Options
The easy answer here is to evaluate the Yankees’ 16th top prospect, Jorbit Vivas, and consider him for the second base position. The prospect is a left-handed hitting infielder who initially signed an international free-agent contract in 2017 with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Vivas climbed the Yankees’ farm hierarchy quickly in 2024 from Low-A to Triple-A. He slashed .225/.348/.358. The Yankees should keep a close eye on him throughout spring training while crunching the current intelligence to ensure eligibility.
Two more internal options for the Yankees at second base would be Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza. Both of these infielders are utility players who can play the position.
This year’s free agent market for second basemen is really scarce. The Yankees have an opportunity to grow some grassroots players for their infield who project well in the long run.
Photo Credit: © Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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