Last season, the New York Yankees had a solid infield but struggled with their outfield. Now, the situation is reversed: their outfield, featuring Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, and Alex Verdugo, is among the best in baseball, while the infield has become a significant problem.
Infield Challenges and Potential Roster Moves
Despite having one of the top records in baseball, general manager Brian Cashman recognizes the need for proactive measures at the trade deadline to strengthen the infield. Anthony Rizzo sustained a right-hand injury in Sunday’s game, and DJ LeMahieu has not fully recovered from a foot injury. Additionally, Gleyber Torres is enduring perhaps the worst season of his career in a contract year, making it clear that the Yankees need to address their infield issues promptly.
The Yankees’ Infield Woes
Starting with Gleyber Torres, his performance has significantly declined. Over 74 games this year, he’s batting .222/.298/.333 with six home runs and 25 RBIs. His strikeout rate has jumped to 24.1%, nearly a 10% increase from last season. His 85 wRC+ indicates he’s 15% below the average MLB hitter, with a WAR of just 0.6. Defensively, Torres has a career-low .964 fielding percentage at second base with 10 errors and -1 defensive runs saved.
Torres, who expected a lucrative contract next offseason, may need to reassess his expectations. While he will likely still secure a decent contract, the Yankees should consider moving on and replacing him with a prospect offering more long-term potential.
Anthony Rizzo’s performance has also declined following a season shortened by concussion symptoms. The 34-year-old is hitting .223 with a .289 OBP, including eight homers and 28 RBIs. Rizzo’s batting metrics are career lows, with a hard-hit rate of 33% and a barrel rate of 4.1%. While his defense has improved recently, his potential absence could push the Yankees to add more talent, possibly by calling up a prospect like Ben Rice.
Rizzo’s age and diminished power have made him more of a liability, and the Yankees need him to rediscover his past form, though it seems unlikely.
Anthony Volpe, the Yankees’ 23-year-old emerging star, has been one of their better infielders. Over 73 games, he’s hitting .266/.323/.405 with six home runs, 26 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases. His strikeout rate has improved to 21.9%, and his 110 wRC+ reflects a productive season. Volpe’s hard-hit rate is down to 35.3%, and his launch angle has decreased from 14.2° to 5.7°, indicating a shift toward contact hitting over power.
Defensively, Volpe has excelled with a .975 fielding percentage, four defensive runs saved, and six outs above average. He continues to develop and shows promise as a consistent leadoff hitter, despite some volatility due to his youth.
DJ LeMahieu’s future with the Yankees is concerning due to his declining performance and health. After missing the first few months with a right foot injury, he has played only 15 games, hitting .188 with a .304 OBP and no extra-base hits since last year. His 56 wRC+ suggests he’s 46% below the average MLB player, and his .188 slugging rate is notably poor.
LeMahieu is no longer the dynamic player he was when acquired from Colorado in 2019, becoming more of an injury-prone liability.
With the trade deadline approaching, the Yankees need to consider acquiring two infielders, relegating Rizzo to a supplementary role and LeMahieu to a utility spot. While Torres will likely be retained due to his age and health, he must improve his performance. It’s time for the Yankees to bring in more talent to offset the declining contributions from Rizzo and LeMahieu.
