Yankees could still acquire elite leadoff hittter this offseason

MLB: San Diego Padres at Arizona Diamondbacks, yankees, luis arraez
Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

The San Diego Padres have made it clear they’re open for business this offseason, looking to shed salary and rework their roster. The Yankees could be in the market for their talent.

Luis Arraez, who just agreed to a $14 million salary to avoid arbitration, keeps surfacing in trade discussions. Given the Padres’ financial constraints, moving him could be a logical step, and that could open the door for the Yankees to make a move for the elite contact hitter.

At 27 years old, Arraez has been one of the purest hitters in baseball, coming off another stellar season where he slashed .314/.346/.392. While he doesn’t provide much power—his .078 isolated slugging rate was the lowest of his career—his ability to put the ball in play with elite bat-to-ball skills is nearly unmatched. He struck out just 4.3% of the time in 2024, a number that makes him one of the best pure-contact hitters in the sport.

MLB: Chicago White Sox at San Diego Padres, luis arraez, yankees
Credit: Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images

A Perfect Leadoff Hitter on Paper

The Yankees have been searching for an ideal table-setter, and Arraez fits the mold of a traditional leadoff man. He doesn’t strike out, finds ways to reach base, and could be a perfect sparkplug at the top of the lineup in front of Aaron Judge and the team’s power bats. Given the Yankees’ heavy reliance on slugging, having a contact-first hitter could provide balance and improve their situational hitting, an area where they have struggled in recent years.

Defensive Concerns and the Yankees’ Run Prevention Focus

While Arraez would undoubtedly help offensively, the Yankees have also made run prevention a priority. That’s where the fit gets murky.

Defensively, Arraez is a liability at second base. He played 339 innings at the position in 2024, posting a .977 fielding percentage, -3 defensive runs saved, and -7 outs above average. With the Yankees adding Max Fried, a ground-ball-heavy pitcher who thrives on weak contact, having a below-average defender at second could be problematic. The team has been trying to improve its infield defense to support its high-end pitching, and Arraez would be a step in the opposite direction.

Luis Arraez, Dodgers, Padres, Yankees
Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Would the Yankees Be Willing to Pay Him Long-Term?

Another factor working against an Arraez trade is his contract situation. He’s under team control through 2026, meaning any team trading for him would have to consider the possibility of paying him beyond this season. Given that the Yankees have been mindful of their long-term payroll, committing significant money to a player whose value is almost entirely tied to his batting average might not be the best move.

A Move That Makes Sense, But Not the Most Logical One

On paper, Arraez is exactly what the Yankees need at leadoff. However, his defensive shortcomings and lack of power make him an awkward fit for a team that is prioritizing run prevention. That’s likely why general manager Brian Cashman hasn’t aggressively pursued him despite the clear offensive benefits he would bring. If the Yankees want to add another bat, they may look for someone with a more well-rounded skill set who won’t create defensive headaches in the infield.

Mentioned in this article:

More about: