Shocking: Yankees’ Offseason Plans Take a Hit: Infield Target Signs with Rockies, Leaving Fans Scrambling
The New York Yankees saw another potential piece of their backup plan sign somewhere else on the second day of the MLB Winter Meetings.
With so much uncertainty on their infield, the Yankees had checked in on free-agent infielder Thairo Estrada as a potential replacement for Gleyber Torres at second base.
Estrada agreed with the Colorado Rockies, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported. He also reported earlier in the week that the Yankees had checked in with Estrada’s agent about a possible reunion.
The one-time Yankees prospect was seen as a backup option in case the Yankees can’t land a power bat at the corner infield positions.
The Yankees have two big holes to fill on their infield since they have no intention of bringing back first baseman Anthony Rizzo or second baseman Gleyber Torres.
They have been linked to free agent first baseman Christian Walker and a possible trade for Chicago Cubs first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger.
They have Jazz Chisolm, Jr., who will play third base but is a natural second baseman. The Yankees have been linked to former Houston Astros All-Star third baseman and free agent Alex Bregman as well as St. Louis Cardinals All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado.
The Yankees are very familiar with Estrada.
He was an international signing for the Yankees back in 2012 and he appeared in 61 games for New York in 2019’20. The Yankees traded Estrada to the San Francisco Giants in April 2021 and that is when he became a productive player. He, hitting .266/.320/.416 from 2021-23 seasons.
Last season, however, Estrada struggled with wrist issues, and his play was affected. He hit .217 and the Giants cut him in August.
