The New York Yankees could be looking for an upgrade at the keystone.
After seven seasons in the Bronx, including two All-Star nods in his early career, second baseman Gleyber Torres has hit free agency and could find a deal elsewhere for 2025 and beyond. Torres found himself in and out of the leadoff spot this past season amid some struggles at the plate and he led all second basemen with 18 errors, becoming the focus of defensive struggles that the Yankees want to fix going forward.
If the Yankees do move on from Torres, they might find a strong replacement on the trade market. Michael Brakebill of FanSided proposed a major deal that would land the Yankees a new second infielder from the Tampa Bay Rays at the cost of one of their most promising prospects, Spencer Jones, in a one-for-one swap.
"The New York Yankees should entice the Tampa Bay Rays to shed payroll further, as we saw last season, and pry slugging second baseman Brandon Lowe away," Brakebill added. "The fit is obvious: Gleyber Torres is a free agent, and the Yanks could use another power lefty that could benefit from the short porch in right field."
Lowe slashed .244/.311/.473 this past season with 21 homers and 58 RBI, roughly equivalent offensive numbers to those Torres posted. But Lowe was error free in 58 games at second base in 2024 and he started 11 games at first base as well, which could fill a need for the Yankees following the departure of Anthony Rizzo.
The Rays do seem interested in rebuilding around a smaller payroll, as demonstrated by their decisions to trade away Tyler Glasnow, Randy Arozarena, Isaac Parades and Jose Siri since last offseason. After signing a six-year, $24 million extension with the Rays in 2019, Lowe is owed $10.5 million in 2025 with an $11.5 million club option for 2026 before he reaches free agency.
That would likely make Lowe a cheaper option for the Yankees than reuniting with Torres will be and it could push the Rays to move him for some future talent this winter.
Landing Jones would certainly represent that future talent, but it might be a steep price to pay. Jones is the team's second-best prospect, a hulking outfielder who has earned some comparisons to Aaron Judge. The Yankees reportedly refused to include Jones in trade proposals for starter Dylan Cease last offseason and he might still be seen as "untouchable" by the organization.
However, if the Yankees believe Lowe is a key upgrade for their infield, they could be willing to swap Jones in pursuit of a World Series championship.
"The Rays are all about having an advanced farm system that can churn out prospects, and they could land a good one from the Yankees, who are in all-in mode after losing the World Series this season," Brakebill concluded.
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