Yankees’ Bombshell Trade: Replacing Two-Time with $11 Million Rival, Sending Shockwaves Through the League
As the New York Yankees get into the heart of the offseason, finding a replacement for Gleyber Torres is among the top objectives.
While addressing needs at first base, corner outfield and third base are also on the list, the Yankees need to improve the second base position defensively while still maintaining solid production on offense.
There are several ways the Yankees can go about addressing their infield needs, and one of them includes signing a third baseman while sliding Jazz Chisholm over to second base — his more natural position.
However, the Yankees could also keep Chisholm at third base after the promise he showed following the trade deadline.
If that’s the case, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic proposed a potential trade target from a division rival the Yankees could pursue to replace Torres at second base.
“One name to keep an eye on for the middle of the infield: Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe. He’s owed $10.5 million this season, and the Rays tend to trade their higher-priced players. If the Rays were to move him, there should be interest from the Yankees,” Kirschner wrote in a mailbag.
Lowe is owed $10.5 million for the 2025 season, and there’s a club option for the 2026 season valued at $11.5 million, according to Spotrac.
The left-handed slugger is an average defender in the eyes of Statcast’s Outs Above Average (OAA) metric, which would be a massive upgrade over what Torres provided throughout his tenure in The Bronx.
Lowe also has plenty of experience hitting at the top of the order with just over half of his 2,441 career plate appearances coming from either the leadoff (.859 OPS) or second spot (.793 OPS) in the lineup.
Despite hitting from the left side, Lowe has fared pretty well against left-handed pitchers throughout his career, logging a .737 OPS.
A move like this likely wouldn’t cost the Yankees much in terms of prospects if they are taking on Lowe’s contract so it’s certainly an avenue worth exploring if he becomes available.
